A Light-Addressable Potentiometric Sensor for Odorant Detection Using Single Bioengineered Olfactory Sensory Neurons...

Area of Science:

• Biosensors
• Neuroscience
• Chemical Sensing

Background:

• Olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) are crucial for detecting odorants.
• Light-addressable potentiometric sensors (LAPS) offer a silicon-based method for monitoring surface potential.
• Combining biological sensing elements with electronic transducers is a promising approach for novel sensor development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a biosensor system integrating LAPS technology with bioengineered OSNs for odorant detection.
• To investigate the feasibility of using single-cell measurements for specific odorant identification.
• To explore the potential for concentration-dependent odorant detection using OSN responses.

Main Methods:

• Bioengineered rat primary OSNs expressing the C. elegans olfactory receptor ODR-10 were created via transient transfection.
• A LAPS chip was utilized as a transducer to monitor cell membrane potential changes.
• A focused laser was used to select individual OSNs for measurement under a microscope.
• Extracellular potential firings were recorded and analyzed in frequency and time domains in response to odorant stimulation.

Main Results:

• Bioengineered OSNs exhibited specific response signals when stimulated with diacetyl, the natural ligand for ODR-10.
• Different concentrations of diacetyl elicited distinct temporal firing patterns in the OSNs.
• The LAPS system successfully monitored changes in cell membrane potential corresponding to odorant exposure.

Conclusions:

• The integrated LAPS and bioengineered OSN system is effective for detecting specific odorants.
• The system demonstrates the capability for concentration-dependent odorant detection based on OSN firing patterns.
• This approach offers a novel platform for high-sensitivity and specific odorant sensing.