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Interfacing Microfluidics with Microelectrode Arrays for Studying Neuronal Communication and Axonal Signal Propagation
Published on: December 8, 2018
Action potential recording from dielectrophoretically positioned neurons inside micro-wells of a planar
Fadi T Jaber1, Fatima H Labeed, Michael P Hughes
1Centre for Biomedical Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom.
Journal of Neuroscience Methods
|June 23, 2009
Summary
Researchers developed a novel dielectrophoresis system to precisely arrange single neurons on microelectrode arrays. This method efficiently creates cellular-level neural networks for studying electrical activity in vitro.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Bioengineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Studying in vitro neural networks requires precise cellular organization.
- Conventional methods for neuron arrangement are often time-consuming and expensive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an efficient and cost-effective method for organizing neurons on microelectrode arrays.
- To facilitate the study of electrical patterns in cellular-level neural networks.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of 4x4 planar microelectrode arrays with micro-wells and micro-trenches using photolithography.
- Utilizing dielectrophoresis to guide single neurons into micro-wells.
- Implementing an image processing system to monitor neuron presence and control dielectrophoretic force.
- Recording spontaneous and evoked action potentials using a 16-channel acquisition/stimulation unit.
Main Results:
- Successful assembly of neural grids with single neurons precisely located in micro-wells.
- Demonstrated effective neuron trapping and prevention of over-crowding using dielectrophoresis and image processing.
- Achieved successful recording of spontaneous and evoked action potentials from the organized neurons.
Conclusions:
- The developed dielectrophoresis system offers a fast, effective, and inexpensive alternative to micromanipulator-guided micropipettes for neuron assembly.
- This technology enables the creation of organized in vitro neural networks for advanced electrophysiological studies.
- The system streamlines the process of establishing cellular-level neural contacts on microelectrode arrays.
