Background
Damage dealt to the central nervous system (CNS) caused by trauma or disease can have detrimental effects on human quality of life because the CNS has limited regenerative capabilities. Efforts to replace lost neural cells require improved knowledge and methods fo
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Background
Damage dealt to the central nervous system (CNS) caused by trauma or disease can have detrimental effects on human quality of life because the CNS has limited regenerative capabilities. Efforts to replace lost neural cells require improved knowledge and methods for differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs).
Objective
In this thesis, I aim to chart our current scientific knowledge and progression of neural differentiation and explore practically the feasibility of continuous ultrasound (US) stimulation on neural progenitor cells (NPCs) differentiating into neurons in vitro.
Methods
I performed a literature study examining previous studies that investigated electrical stimulation, nanoparticles, or ultrasound to improve in vitro or in vivo differentiation of neural stem cells. Using finite element method (FEM) frequency analyses with COMSOL Multiphysics, I investigated the use of a 24-wells plate with piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate [Pb(ZrxTi1–x)O3] (PZT) US transducers. Additionally, I validated in vitro previous findings on the feasibility of differentiation of NSCs to NPCs.
Results
With the knowledge gained from literature and findings from the experiments, I created a mold for the fabrication of a custom variant of a 24-wells plate made with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to which 2.03 mm thick PZT can be mounted.
Conclusion
Future research efforts should focus on further developing this technique, specifically into electrical schemes to optimize US transmission to NPCs.
