Vesicular exocytosis and microdevices - microelectrode arrays.

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Cell Biology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Electrochemical methods, particularly amperometry, have been vital for real-time single-cell exocytosis analysis for over 20 years.
• Ultramicroelectrodes and artificial synapse configurations provide high sensitivity for monitoring cellular secretion frequency and individual vesicular release events.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review advancements in electrochemical techniques for single-cell exocytosis monitoring between 2005 and 2014.
• To discuss the development and application of microdevices, specifically microelectrode arrays (MEAs), in this field.

Main Methods:

• Amperometry at a constant potential using ultramicroelectrodes.
• Development and integration of microelectrode arrays (MEAs).
• Combination of spectroscopy-microscopy with electrochemical techniques.

Main Results:

• Electrochemical sensors offer high sensitivity for detailed analysis of exocytosis at the single-cell level.
• Microelectrode arrays (MEAs) provide complementary approaches to enhance spatial resolution and enable multi-analysis.
• Recent developments focus on integrating multiple analytical techniques for comprehensive cellular studies.

Conclusions:

• Electrochemical techniques remain a powerful tool for studying exocytosis.
• Microelectrode arrays represent a significant advancement, offering improved spatial resolution and multi-analysis capabilities.
• The integration of microdevices and advanced analytical methods is crucial for future progress in understanding cellular secretion.