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Inkube: an all-in-one solution for neuron culturing, electrophysiology, and fluidic exchange
Benedikt Maurer1, Selina Fassbind1, Tobias Ruff1
1Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 37/39, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland.
Lab on a Chip
|March 2, 2026
Summary
We developed "inkube," an automated incubation system for neuronal cultures. This system precisely controls environmental factors, revealing their impact on neuronal activity and enabling automated drug screening.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biotechnology
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Culturing neuronal networks in vitro is challenging due to difficulties in controlling environmental variables and studying their effects on neuronal activity.
- Traditional electrophysiology methods are limited in their ability to precisely manipulate and monitor culture conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present "inkube," an integrated incubation and electrophysiology system for precise control of neuronal culture environments.
- To investigate the influence of environmental variables like temperature and osmolarity on neuronal spiking behavior.
- To demonstrate the system's utility for automated drug screening applications.
Main Methods:
- Development of an automated incubation system (inkube) integrated with electrophysiology.
- Precise control and monitoring of temperature, osmolarity, and pH for up to 4 microelectrode arrays (MEAs) in parallel.
- Automated perfusion system for continuous medium level monitoring and readjustment.
- Electrical stimulation and recording of neuronal activity from MEAs.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that medium evaporation significantly influences neuronal spiking responses.
- Showed that a small decrease in medium temperature (1.5 °C) markedly affects spike latency.
- Provided a proof-of-concept for automated drug screening by precisely varying magnesium ion concentration.
Conclusions:
- The inkube system offers high autonomy for continuous recording, stimulation, and environmental control of neuronal cultures without user intervention.
- Precise environmental control is crucial for accurate electrophysiological studies of neuronal networks in vitro.
- Inkube's open-source nature facilitates its adoption for advanced neuroscience research and drug discovery.
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