Nanoscale

The study of biological processes occurring at the nanoscale is becoming a new discipline at the border between Physics and Biology with major scientific challenges and new technological applications. In fact, interactions at the nanoscale between cells/neurons and surfaces with specific nanopatterns appear to control several major biological processes, such as cell proliferation and differentiation. The aim of the interdisciplinary Nanoscale consortium consisting of five major European research centres (SISSA, TASC-INFM, DTU, NMI and ENS) with two SMEs (MCS, Promoscience) is therefore to explore interactions between stem cells, neurons, neuronal networks and surfaces with specific geometrical nanopatterns and nanoprints of specific proteins and molecules. The partners produce and develop a variety of nanodevices for growing, guiding, manipulating cells, neurons and neuronal cultures. The applied methods consist of two major ingredients: i - the combination of a MicroElectrode Arrays (MEAs) with chemical and topographic micro/nanosubstrates controlling the network growth; ii – the coupling with external measuring and/or manipulating devices such as Electron Microscopes and Optical Tweezers.