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Quantifying Spatiotemporal Parameters of Cellular Exocytosis in Micropatterned Cells
Published on: September 16, 2020
Improved surface-patterned platinum microelectrodes for the study of exocytotic events
Khajak Berberian1, Kassandra Kisler, Qinghua Fang
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA. knb6@cornell.edu
Analytical Chemistry
|September 29, 2009
Summary
Surface-patterned platinum microelectrodes enable high-resolution monitoring of single cell exocytosis. These novel electrodes offer improved performance and reusability for electrochemical analysis of cellular release events.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Single vesicle exocytosis is crucial for cellular communication.
- Conventional carbon fiber electrodes have limitations in resolution and reusability.
- Developing advanced electrode materials is essential for precise monitoring of cellular processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and characterize novel surface-patterned platinum microelectrodes for monitoring single vesicle exocytosis.
- To compare the performance of these platinum electrodes with conventional carbon fiber electrodes.
- To evaluate the reusability and functionalization capabilities of the fabricated electrodes.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of platinum microelectrodes insulated with fused silica using photolithography.
- Monitoring single vesicle exocytosis using constant potential amperometry and fast-scan cyclic voltammetry.
- Functionalization of electrodes with poly-D-lysine for cell stimulation and recording.
Main Results:
- Platinum microelectrodes exhibited low noise and sharp catecholamine voltammogram peaks (45 mV FWHM).
- Amperometric spike parameters were comparable to carbon fiber electrodes.
- Functionalized electrodes allowed serotonin-independent recording of mast cell release events.
- Electrodes demonstrated reusability after cleaning.
Conclusions:
- Microfabricated platinum electrodes provide high-resolution recording of single exocytotic events.
- These electrodes offer advantages in terms of signal sharpness, reusability, and functionalization.
- The technology is suitable for developing parallel electrode arrays for multi-cell measurements.
