Noninvasive Stimulation of Neurotypic Cells Using Persistent Photoconductivity of Gallium Nitride.

The persistent photoconductivity (PPC) of the n-type Ga-polar GaN was used to stimulate PC12 cells noninvasively. Analysis of the III-V semiconductor material by atomic force microscopy, Kelvin probe force microscopy, photoconductivity, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy quantified bulk and surface charge, as well as chemical composition before and after exposure to UV light and cell culture media. The semiconductor surface was made photoconductive by illumination with UV light and experienced PPC, which was utilized to stimulate PC12 cells in vitro. Stimulation was confirmed by measuring the changes in intracellular calcium concentration. Control experiments with gallium salt verified the stimulation of neurotypic cells. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry data confirmed the lack of gallium leaching and toxic effects during the stimulation.

Bioelectronics communication: encoding yeast regulatory responses using nanostructured gallium nitride thin films.

Baker's yeast, S. cerevisiae, is a model organism that is used in synthetic biology. The work demonstrates how GaN nanostructured thin films can encode physiological responses in S. cerevisiae yeast. The Ga-polar, n-type, GaN thin films are characterized via Photocurrent Measurements, Atomic Force Microscopy and Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy. UV light is used to induce persistent photoconductivity that results in charge accumulation on the surface. The morphological, chemical and electronic properties of the nanostructured films are utilized to activate the cell wall integrity pathway and alter the amount of chitin produced by the yeast. The encoded cell responses are induced by the semiconductor interfacial properties associated with nanoscale topography and the accumulation of charge on the surface that promotes the build-up of oxygen species and in turn cause a hyperoxia related change in the yeast. The thin films can also alter the membrane voltage of yeast. The observed modulation of the membrane voltage of the yeast exposed to different GaN samples supports the notion that the semiconductor material can cause cell polarization. The results thus define a strategy for bioelectronics communication where the roughness, surface chemistry and charge of the wide band gap semiconductor's thin film surface initiate the encoding of the yeast response.

Variably doped nanostructured gallium nitride surfaces can serve as biointerfaces for neurotypic PC12 cells and alter their behavior.

Neurotypic PC12 cells behavior was studied on nanostructured GaN and rationalized with respect to surface charge, doping level, and chemical functionalization. The semiconductor analysis included atomic force microscopy, Kelvin probe force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The semiconductor surfaces were then evaluated as biointerfaces, and the in vitro cell behavior was quantified based on cell viability, reactive oxygen species production, as well as time dependent intracellular Ca concentration, [Ca2+]i, a known cell-signaling molecule. In this work, we show that persistent photoconductivity (PPC) can be used to alter the surface properties prior to chemical functionalization, the concentration of dopants can have some effect on cellular behavior, and that chemical functionalization changes the surface potential before and after exposure to UV light. Finally, we describe some competing mechanisms of PPC-induced [Ca2+]i changes, and how researchers looking to control cell behavior non-invasively can consider PPC as a useful control knob.

Persistent Photoconductivity, Nanoscale Topography, and Chemical Functionalization Can Collectively Influence the Behavior of PC12 Cells on Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Surfaces.

Wide bandgap semiconductors such as gallium nitride (GaN) exhibit persistent photoconductivity properties. The incorporation of this asset into the fabrication of a unique biointerface is presented. Templates with lithographically defined regions with controlled roughness are generated during the semiconductor growth process. Template surface functional groups are varied using a benchtop surface functionalization procedure. The conductivity of the template is altered by exposure to UV light and the behavior of PC12 cells is mapped under different substrate conductivity. The pattern size and roughness are combined with surface chemistry to change the adhesion of PC12 cells when the GaN is made more conductive after UV light exposure. Furthermore, during neurite outgrowth, surface chemistry and initial conductivity difference are used to facilitate the extension to smoother areas on the GaN surface. These results can be utilized for unique bioelectronics interfaces to probe and control cellular behavior.

Interfaces with Tunable Mechanical and Radiosensitizing Properties.

We report the fabrication of a composite containing nanostructured GaOOH and Matrigel with tunable radiosensitizing and stiffness properties. Composite characterization was done with microscopy and rheology. The utility of the interface was tested in vitro using fibroblasts. Cell viability and reactive oxygen species assays quantified the effects of radiation dosages and GaOOH concentrations. Fibroblasts' viability decreased with increasing concentration of GaOOH and composite stiffness. During ionizing radiation experiments the presence of the scintillating GaOOH triggered a different cellular response. Reactive oxygen species data demonstrated that one can reduce the amount of radiation needed to modulate the behavior of cells on interfaces with different stiffness containing a radiosensitizing material.