Directional guidance of neural outgrowth using topography and surface chemistry

目前还没有治疗中风和创伤引起的涉及神经元损伤和死亡的疾病的临床治疗方法。要开发治疗这些疾病的方法，必须具备控制表面神经元的能力，并了解相关过程。我们正在探索使用从微电子行业借鉴的技术来制造成形表面，我们希望结合受控的表面化学，将鼓励神经元沿直线生长并形成连接。希望这将为再生过程提供有用的信息，甚至在未来发展成为一种帮助周围神经再生的疗法。

Clinical remedies for disorders involving neuronal damage and death that accompany stroke and trauma are not currently available. To develop treatments for these, the ability to control of neurons on surfaces and an understanding of the processes involved is imperative. We are exploring the use of techniques borrowed from the microelectronics industry to make shaped surfaces which we hope, in combination with controlled surface chemistry, will encourage neurons to grow in straight lines and form connections. It is hoped that this will provide useful information on regeneration processes and may in the future even be developed into a therapy to help peripheral nerve regeneration.