Dynamic control of extracellular environment in in vitro neural recording systems

A technique is presented for rapid fabrication of microfluidic channels on top of multichannel in vitro neural recording electrode arrays. The channels allow dynamic control of transient flow over localized areas of the array. Dorsal root ganglion neurons were integrated into the system. The device was used to demonstrate precise control of the extracellular microenvironment of individual cells on the array. Because the methods presented here are not specific to a particular cell type or neural recording system, the technique is amenable to a wide range of applications within the neuroscience field.