Biologically interfaced porous silicon devices

PS has been shown to be an excellent candidate biomaterial following studie s showing its biostability and non-toxicity. These favourable properties, c oupled with the case of its topographical manipulation, and its optoelectro nic properties, make it an ideal material for the design of biologically in terfaced devices (BIDs). Possible potential applications for PS in BIDs fal ls into three main areas: (i) in vitro biosensors, (ii) the development of intelligent implantible medical devices and (iii) biologically interfaced n eural networks. The majority of these applications rely on the ability of P S to directly interface with living cells. In order to achieve this the cel ls must adhere to the solid-state device in a pattern appropriate to the ci rcuitry. Here we report the use of confocal microscopy to image B50 cells o n FS substrates in order to obtain cell patterning information. We also rep ort the quantification of silicic acid and silica toxicity on B50 cells in culture, a study confirming that suggested by-products of PS manufacture ar e not toxic. Finally, preliminary findings on the effect of nerve growth fa ctor (NGF) on the morphology of B50 cells in culture are presented.