There are currently no accurate and repeatable methods for controlling cell fates in three dimensions at a tissue level. Cell culture has routinely incorporated mechanotransduction and media composition signalling modalities into controlling cellular behaviours. Despite this, using electric fields to control cellular dynamics remains a known but poorly understood method. A system capable of isolating the effects of electron interactions and electric fields could provide valuable insights into the factors driving shifts in cell behaviour.

This thesis re-examines the cell culture systems employing electric fields to understand better the role electric fields play in cell culture. This study isolates the effect of electric fields, independent of other electrical phenomena, to reveal the impact on cell growth by implementing a parallel plate capacitor system. The questions answered in this thesis were (1) whether electric fields, independent of other factors, alter cellular behaviour and (2) whether the electric field can control behaviours in repeatable and expected ways. This thesis used neural cells to test directional growth and created a system to grow cells in an electric field.

Throughout the experimental design of this thesis, many biological factors needed to be optimised, including cell density, surface modification and small molecule concentration. After designing ideal conditions for cellular differentiation, the results showed that the electric field impacts cell dynamics. Cells differentiated in the field showed an increase in cell size of up to 300%, alignment of projections in the direction of the field and expression of differentiation markers even without exposure to specific differentiation growth factors. Cells were then exposed to the field after being grown in regular differentiation conditions for a set time, and it was shown that when the field is applied, the response dynamics change.

DAPI, F-Actin and neuron marker TUBB3 stains for cells grown outside the field and cultured for 96 hours. Cells grown in the field for 24 hours were differentiated out of the field for 72 hours. The electric field was applied, as seen by the + and – symbols. Images were taken at x20 magnification and reflected the overall population of cells.