Developing an Electrochemical Assay to Detect Nerve Regeneration in 3D Scaffolds

描述(申请人提供)：这项提案的研究目标是开发一种方法，在再生神经元重新长到目标组织之前检测它们是否进行了适当的通信。目前，体内神经再生的成功与否主要通过神经传导速度和肌肉收缩来评价。目前可用的方法的主要缺点是，为了使测试成为可能，必须对靶组织进行完全的重新连接或最终的再神经支配。这项拟议的技术将利用多学科方法来检测突触信号，作为在再生的初始阶段衡量神经正常生长的指标，而不是等到神经重新连接并神经支配目标组织。实现这一目标的目的是(I)表征来自在二维表面或三维支架内再生的神经元的突触信号，并使用x-y多通道交指阵列探测器来检测，以及(Ii)设计一种三维(x-y-z)交指阵列探测器来测量来自临床相关三维支架材料内再生神经元的突触信号。该项目的长期成果有可能满足全球对快速评估神经再生效果的实用和廉价方法的需求。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The research objective of this proposal is to develop a method to detect whether regenerating neurons are communicating appropriately before they regrow to their target tissues. Currently, successful regeneration of nerves in vivo is evaluated by nerve conduction velocity and muscle contraction. The major drawback to currently available methods is that either complete reconnectivity or final reinnervation of target tissues must occur for testing to be possible. The proposed technique will utilize a multi-disciplinary approach to detect synaptic signals as a measure of proper nerve growth in the initial stages of regeneration, rather than waiting until the nerve has reconnected and innervated target tissues. The aims to accomplish this objective are (i) to characterize synaptic signals from neurons regrowing on a 2 dimensional surface, or within a 3 dimensional scaffold, and detected with an x-y multi-channel interdigitated array detector, and (ii) to design a 3 dimensional (x-y-z) interdigitated array detector to measure synaptic signals from regrowing neurons within clinically relevant 3D scaffold materials. The long-term outcome of this project has the potential to meet the global need for a practical and inexpensive method to rapidly assess the efficacy of nerve regeneration.