Directed Retinal Nerve Cell Growth for Use in a Retinal Prosthesis Interface

Abstract

Using muCP to pattern surfaces with growth factors, individual neuronal processes from pure RGC culture and whole retinal explants can be directed to discrete sites on a microelectronic chip surface. By directing RGC neurite processes to specific sites, single cell stimulation becomes possible. This may allow discrete populations of retinal neurons to be addressed so that physiologic retinal processing of visual information can be achieved.