Manipulating Neurons with Standing Acoustic Waves

Within our body, the arrangement of cells is critical for both tissue development and functioning. Many tissues including nerves, bone and cardiac muscle present high degree of cellular organization which allow cells communicate efficiently in a synergic manner to perform different functions. One of the major goals in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine is to mimic these different cellular organizations in order to achieve more physiological tissue functions for different applications. Hence, many efforts are devoted for finding practical methods to pattern cells in a controlled and precise manner. Different technologies including magnetic, optical and fluidic forces are continuously investigated for this purpose. Recently, standing acoustic waves have presented as a promising way to manipulate cells precisely in a biocompatible, label-free, contactless and noninvasive manner. In this research we aim to use different standing acoustic waves for arranging neurons and direct neuronal growth. We examined two types of standing waves: surface acoustic waves (SAW) and bulk acoustic waves (BAW), to demonstrate different types of cell patterning. We patterned PC12 and DRG neurons and tested neurites outgrowth following acoustic manipulation. We have demonstrated that the spatial arrangement of cells under the acoustic waves is precise and that neuronal growth can be manipulated and directed by cell arrangement. This method opens new possibilities and holds great potential for advancing complex cell patterning for different neuroengineering applications.