Catalina Vallejo Giraldo Publishes Her Ph.D Work on Microimprinted PEDOT Electrodes in the Journal -

Topographical modification holds promise for the development of functionalized neural interfaces to mediate initial cell adhesion and the subsequent evolution of gliosis, minimizing the onset of a proinflammatory glial phenotype, to provide long‐term stability. In our paper, a low‐temperature microimprint‐lithography technique for the development of micro‐topographically functionalized neuroelectrode interfaces in electrodeposited poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):p‐toluene sulfonate (PEDOT:PTS) is described and assessed in vitro. Platinum (Pt) microelectrodes are subjected to electrodeposition of a PEDOT:PTS microcoating, which is subsequently topographically functionalized with an ordered array of micropits, inducing a significant reduction in electrode electrical impedance and an increase in charge storage capacity. Furthermore, topographically functionalized electrodes reduced the adhesion of reactive astrocytes in vitro, evident from morphological changes in cell area, focal adhesion formation, and the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokine factors.