Surfaces with a defined topography could improve the interface between cells and biomedical devices such as neural implants and biosensors and enable treatment of various neurological disorders – blindness, paralysis, Parkinson’s disease. Advances in nanofabrication technologies have allowed generation of substrates with defined mechanical and morphological properties. Topography of the extracellular environment affects cell morphology and development and can be used to control adhesion and differentiation. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the influence of topography on the development of embryonic cortical neurons. Cortical neurons isolated from rat embryos were cultured on OrmoComp polymer substrates with nano- and micropillars. OrmoComp substrates supported neuronal growth without detrimental effects on cell viability. Nano- and microscale pillars enhanced neurite growth and alignment to the topography, an effect that diminished with increasing pillar diameter and spacing. Moreover, an increase in pillar height largely enhanced the axon guiding effect resulting in longer and more aligned axons. Live cell imaging revealed that axons growing on different topographies explored a larger area and had a more rapid and directional growth which resulted in an increase in axon length. This study demonstrates the suitability of OrmoComp nano- and micropillar substrates for supporting and controlling growth of cortical neurons. Furthermore, enhanced axon elongation and topographical guidance demonstrate the potential of these substrates as tissue engineering scaffolds for regeneration of damaged nerves.