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Impact of Micro-Channel Width on Axons for Brain-on-Chip Applications

Tawseefa Maqbool [Assistant Professor]

Saraswati group of pharmacy, SGC Group, Gharuan- 140413, Mohali, Punjab, India

Email-shiprasaroj789@gmail.com

Tawseefa Maqbool2,  Shivangi Rana2, Tabish Mushtaq3, Pallavi Sharma4,

Shipra Saroj5, Sonali Koundal6

Assistant Professor, Department of radiology, Saraswati Group of Colleges, Mohali   140413

Assistant Professor, Department of optometry, MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH PUNJAB TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY, BATHINDA

Assistant Professor, Department of radiology, Swami Vivekanand  institute of engineering and technology 140413

Assistant Professor, Department of radiology, Saraswati Group of Colleges, Mohali   140413

Assistant Professor, Department of radiology, Saraswati Group of Colleges, Mohali   140413

Assistant Professor, Department of forensic , Saraswati Group of Colleges, Mohali   140413

Abstract

Technologies for axon guidance for in vitro disease models and bottom-up investigations are increasingly being used in neuroscience research. One of the most prevalent patterning methods is using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) micro-structures due to compatibility with microscopy and electrophysiology, which enables systematic tracking of axon development with precision and efficiency. Previous investigations of these guidance platforms have noted axons tend to follow edges and avoid sharp turns; however, the specific impact of spatial constraints remains only partially explored. We investigated the influence of microchannel width beyond a constriction point, as well as the number of available microchannels, on axon growth dynamics. Further, by manipulating the size of micron/submicron-sized PDMS tunnels we investigated the space restriction that prevents growth cone penetration showing that restrictions smaller than 350 nm were sufficient to exclude axons. This research offers insights into the interplay of spatial constraints, axon development, and neural behavior. The findings are important for designing in vitro platforms and in vivo neural interfaces for both fundamental neuroscience and translational applications in rapidly evolving neural implant technologies.

Keywords- Axons, PDMS, Neurons, Nervous system, Cells