  In vitro investigation of neural architectures requires cell positioning. For
that purpose, micro-magnets have been developed on silicon substrates and
combined with chemical patterning to attract cells to adhesive sites and keep
them there during incubation. We have shown that the use of micro-magnets
allows to achieve a high filling factor (~90%) of defined adhesive sites in
neural networks and prevents migration of cells during growth. This approach
has great potential for neural interfacing by providing accurate and
time-stable coupling with integrated nanodevices.
