Rich dynamics and functional organization on topographically designed neuronal networks in vitro

• Published in: iScience Vol. 25; no. 12; p. 105680
• Main Authors: Montalà-Flaquer, Marc, López-León, Clara F., Tornero, Daniel, Houben, Akke Mats, Fardet, Tanguy, Monceau, Pascal, Bottani, Samuel, Soriano, Jordi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 22.12.2022; Elsevier
• Subjects: Cell biology; Condensed Matter; Neural networks; Neuroscience; Physics; Soft Condensed Matter; Cell biology; Neural networks; Neuroscience
• ISSN: 2589-0042; 2589-0042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105680

Neuronal cultures are a prominent experimental tool to understand complex functional organization in neuronal assemblies. However, neurons grown on flat surfaces exhibit a strongly coherent bursting behavior with limited functionality. To approach the functional richness of naturally formed neuronal circuits, here we studied neuronal networks grown on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) topographical patterns shaped as either parallel tracks or square valleys. We followed the evolution of spontaneous activity in these cultures along 20 days in vitro using fluorescence calcium imaging. The networks were characterized by rich spatiotemporal activity patterns that comprised from small regions of the culture to its whole extent. Effective connectivity analysis revealed the emergence of spatially compact functional modules that were associated with both the underpinned topographical features and predominant spatiotemporal activity fronts. Our results show the capacity of spatial constraints to mold activity and functional organization, bringing new opportunities to comprehend the structure-function relationship in living neuronal circuits. [Display omitted] •Spatial anisotropies in cell cultures can be imprinted through topography•Neurons grown on PDMS topographical substrates exhibit rich collective activity•Neuronal network dynamics and activity propagation depend on topography details•Network functional connectivity captures structural traits imprinted by topography Neuroscience; Cell biology; Neural networks