Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2025
05:19
Using Neuron Spiking Activity to Trigger Closed-Loop Stimuli in Neurophysiological Experiments
Published on: November 12, 2019
7.0K
Highly Selective and Excitable Artificial Ion Channel for Spike Generation.
Qianqian Fu1,2, Lin Wang1,2, Xiaolei Chen1,2
1Key Laboratory of Photoelectric Conversion and Utilization of Solar Energy, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, P. R. China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|December 13, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed an artificial ion channel that mimics neuronal function. This biomimetic device exhibits high ionic selectivity and excitability, enabling the generation of adjustable electrical spikes for potential neuromorphic computing.
Area of Science:
- Biomimetic Devices
- Artificial Ion Channels
- Neuromorphic Computing
Background:
- Neuronal cation channels are vital for spike generation, requiring both high ionic selectivity and excitability.
- Integrating these properties into a single artificial channel presents significant challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate an artificial ion channel with adaptable selectivity and excitability.
- To construct a prototype artificial neuron capable of generating electrical spikes.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of an artificial ion channel using a wetting film between an oil droplet and a glass substrate.
- Control of channel height and ion selectivity via electrostatic interactions and anionic surfactant excitation.
- Construction and testing of a prototype artificial neuron simulating neurotransmitter action.
Main Results:
- The artificial channel exhibits adaptable height, controlled open/close states, and tunable ion selectivity (>6800 for monovalent vs. divalent ions).
- The artificial neuron successfully generated adjustable current spikes mimicking neuronal firing.
- Anionic surfactants effectively simulated neurotransmitter function to trigger channel activity.
Conclusions:
- An artificial ion channel with tunable selectivity and excitability was successfully developed.
- This artificial channel can function as a neuron, generating electrical spikes.
- The findings offer inspiration for developing biomimetic devices for neuromorphic computing.
Related Concept Videos
01:19The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation
3.1K
A postsynaptic neuron usually receives numerous impulses from several other presynaptic neurons. The axon hillock of the postsynaptic neuron integrates all these signals and determines the likelihood of firing an action potential.
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential....
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential....
3.1K
01:26Voltage-gated Ion Channels
8.0K
Voltage-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that open and close in response to changes in the membrane potential. They are present on the membranes of all electrically excitable cells such as neurons, heart, and muscle cells.
Generally, all voltage-gated ion channels have a 'voltage-sensing domain' that spans the lipid bilayer. The charged residues in the sensor move in response to the membrane potential changes that open the channel allowing ions movement. There are several...
Generally, all voltage-gated ion channels have a 'voltage-sensing domain' that spans the lipid bilayer. The charged residues in the sensor move in response to the membrane potential changes that open the channel allowing ions movement. There are several...
8.0K
01:12Mechanically-gated Ion Channels
6.2K
Mechanically-gated ion channels are proteins found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell membranes that open in response to mechanical stress. Tension, compression, swelling, and shear stress can alter the conformation of the protein, opening a transmembrane channel that allows the passage of ions for signal transmission. In eukaryotes, mechanically-gated channels are distributed in several regions like the neurons, lungs, skin, bladder, and heart, where they play critical roles in numerous...
6.2K
01:21Electrochemical Gradient and Channel Proteins: An Overview
2.0K
An electrochemical gradient is a fundamental concept in biology and chemistry. It regulates the movement of ions across cell membranes. This movement is influenced by two factors:
The electrical gradient: The electrical gradient across cell membranes refers to the difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a cell. This difference drives the movement of ions towards or away from the cells. For instance, if the inside of the cell is more negatively charged relative to...
The electrical gradient: The electrical gradient across cell membranes refers to the difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a cell. This difference drives the movement of ions towards or away from the cells. For instance, if the inside of the cell is more negatively charged relative to...
2.0K
01:24Non-gated Ion Channels
6.7K
Ion channels are specialized proteins on the plasma membrane that allow charged ions to pass down their electrochemical gradient. Their main function is to maintain the membrane potential which is critical for cell viability. These channels are either gated or non-gated and can transport more than a thousand ions within milliseconds for the cellular event to occur.
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism....
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism....
6.7K
01:21G-Protein Gated Ion Channels
4.5K
GPCRs are primarily responsible for our sense of smell, taste, and vision. The binding of a sensory stimulus activates GPCR to stimulate effector proteins, many of which are ion channels in the sensory organs. GPCRs modulate the opening and closing of the target ion channels either directly by binding them, or by releasing second messengers that activate these channels. As ions move across the membrane, the membrane potential is altered, which induces an appropriate response.
Sensory...
Sensory...
4.5K