Abstract
We developed a microdevice for parallel chemical stimulations of matrix-arrayed neurospheres. The device consists of 8 x 8 microwells for cell culture and 8 microchannels for transportation of stimulating solutions. The bottom of each well is made of a SiN (silicon nitride) diaphragm of 1 μm in thickness, and has 24 x 24 microholes of 2 μm in diameter which are used for diffusive release of differentiation-inducing factors from the microchannel to the microwell. Moreover, we developed a microdevice for measuring extracellular potentials of cultured cells and tissues. The 8 x 8 square-shaped microelectrodes which measure 54 μm on a side and are made of Pt black were located at the center of culture well bottom made of a SiN diaphragm of 2 μm in thickness. Also, the microholes of 5 μm in diameter were opened in the spaces where neither electrodes nor leads exist on the SiN diaphragm.
