Better adhesion, better implant

Developing neuronal prostheses requires guiding neuron cells to grow in the correct 3D structure. This involves growing cells on inert electrode materials, such as gold. Cell adhesion to these electrodes is essential for forming functional artificial neurons, making adhesion research critical. Approaches include coating electrodes with positively charged materials to attract the negatively charged cell surface. However, for implants, specificity is key, as neuronal cells must adhere selectively, not universally. To address this, research focuses on biomolecules that bind specifically to neuronal integrins, neuron-specific membranal proteins. An article in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology by Prof. Yossi Mandel and Prof. Zeev Zalevsky details a study on tailored biomolecules to enhance retinal cell adhesion to electrodes. By customizing biomolecules to interact with adhesion integrins, the study proposes valuable insights for improving the integration and performance of retinal prostheses and other neural implants, advancing their potential as effective solutions for neuronal repair and restoration.