Intracellular Recording of Cardiomyocyte Action Potentials with Nanopatterned Volcano-Shaped Microelectrode Arrays

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Electrophysiology

Background:

• Micronanotechnology-based multielectrode arrays have advanced transmembrane voltage recording.
• Achieving long-term, optoporation- or electroporation-free intracellular access remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel nanopatterned volcano-shaped microelectrode (nanovolcano) for spontaneous cell membrane fusion and stable intracellular access.
• To demonstrate the efficacy of nanovolcanoes for long-term transmembrane voltage recording in excitable cells.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of complex nanostructures using a scalable ion beam etching redeposition process.
• Utilizing the resulting ring-shaped nanovolcano structure for passive intracellular access.
• Recording intracellular action potentials from neonatal rat cardiomyocytes in vitro.

Main Results:

• Successful spontaneous fusion of nanovolcanoes with cell membranes.
• Stable, continuous intracellular recording for over 1 hour achieved.
• Demonstrated high spatial resolution for transmembrane action potential reporting.

Conclusions:

• Nanovolcano microelectrodes offer a breakthrough for stable, long-term intracellular access.
• These devices provide advantages over traditional multielectrode arrays for electrophysiological assessments.
• Nanovolcanoes enable precise transmembrane voltage recording without physical cell membrane disruption.