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An engineered neural network which is self-assembled is shown in image A. Various version of the cell clusters are seen in the other images that have been stained to highlight certain aspects. In image F, red=axons, green=dendrites and blue=cell body. Yellow areas are a coincidence of green and red fluorescence.
(Image credit: Journal of Neural Engineering)
A uniform neural net of brain cells—a brain chip—has been created by a team of scientists lead by Yael Hanein of Tel Aviv University in Israel.
100-micrometer-wide bundles of nanotubes were used to get the rat neurons to form regular patterns on a sheet of quartz. The neurons bind to the nanotubes, which are placed close enough for the nerve cells' axons and dendrites to make links between cells and clusters. The electrical activity of the brain chip can be easily measured because carbon nanotubes conduct electricity.
