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Multi-sized microelectrode array coupled with micro-electroporation for effective recording of intracellular action
Xingyuan Xu1, Zhengjie Liu1, Jing Liu2
1State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Display Material and Technology, School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
Microsystems & Nanoengineering
|May 13, 2025
Summary
Larger microelectrodes improve signal quality for cardiomyocyte recordings, while smaller ones enhance perforation efficiency. This research optimizes microelectrode design for cost-effective intracellular electrophysiology.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Microelectrode arrays (MEAs) are crucial for multi-channel extracellular electrophysiology of cardiomyocytes.
- Current methods for intracellular action potential (AP) recordings using MEAs are often costly, requiring high-resolution electrodes and electroporation.
- The impact of microelectrode size on micro-electroporation and intracellular signal quality remains underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of microelectrode size on intracellular AP parameters and recording metrics after micro-electroporation.
- To determine how microelectrode size affects signal acquisition quality and perforation efficiency.
- To inform the design of cost-effective microelectrodes for intracellular recordings.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of microelectrodes with varying sizes using standard photolithography.
- Coupled micro-electroporation technique applied to cardiomyocyte cultures.
- Recording of cardiomyocyte APs and analysis of electrophysiological parameters.
Main Results:
- Larger microelectrodes generally yielded higher amplitude signals and improved signal-to-noise ratios.
- Smaller microelectrodes demonstrated higher perforation efficiency, longer AP duration, and better single-cell signal ratios.
- Micro-electroporation is viable with larger microelectrodes, not exclusively high-resolution designs.
Conclusions:
- Microelectrode size significantly impacts intracellular AP recording quality and micro-electroporation efficiency.
- The micro-electroporation technique can be successfully applied to larger microelectrodes, broadening manufacturing possibilities.
- This study offers a pathway towards lower-cost fabrication of MEAs for high-quality intracellular electrophysiological recordings.
