On diamond surface properties and interactions with neurons

Eur Phys J E Soft Matter. 2009 Oct;30(2):149-56. doi: 10.1140/epje/i2009-10520-9. Epub 2009 Oct 11.

Abstract

In this paper we report about the role the diamond surface morphology and atomic termination plays in the survival and viability of neuronal cells, which represent an appropriate experimental model for the development of cell-based biosensors. The samples we have investigated were both CVD homoepitaxial diamond films and nanocrystalline diamond layers deposited on quartz substrates. Different surface terminations were induced through exposure to atomic hydrogen and to intense UV irradiation. GT1-7 cells, a neuronal line of hypothalamic origin, were plated directly onto the diamond surfaces without exogenous adhesion molecules, in order to correlate the surface topography and chemistry to cell growth and viability. The cell density on nanocrystalline diamonds after 48 h from plating was approximately 55% of the control on plastic dishes, whatever is the atomic termination of the surface, whereas the performances of homoepitaxial samples in terms of cell growth depend on surface termination and were significantly lower, 30%.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects
  • Cell Adhesion / radiation effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Diamond / chemistry*
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen / chemistry
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force / methods
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Neurons / radiation effects
  • Photoelectron Spectroscopy / methods
  • Surface Properties
  • Time Factors
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
  • Diamond
  • Hydrogen