Intracellular neuronal recordings across DNA tiles

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Neuroscience
• Bioelectronics

Background:

• Artificial ion channels are crucial for biohybrid electronics and neural interfaces.
• Stable intracellular access via synthetic channels remains a significant challenge.
• Current methods struggle with accessing thin neuronal structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate stable transmembrane ionic flow using DNA origami tiles in live neurons.
• To establish a novel method for intracellular access and drug delivery.
• To enable intracellular voltage measurements without membrane disruption.

Main Methods:

• Utilized DNA origami tiles (0.8 nm diameter) anchored into neuronal membranes.
• Employed patch-clamp techniques, including two-photon-targeted variants.
• Performed molecular dynamics simulations to support experimental findings.

Main Results:

• Achieved highly stable ion transport (~2 nS) with channel-like stochasticity.
• Demonstrated successful intracellular drug delivery without compromising neuronal physiology.
• Obtained repeatable intracellular and quasi-intracellular voltage measurements, even in thin dendrites (~1 µm).

Conclusions:

• DNA origami tiles provide a stable and effective means for transmembrane access in neurons.
• This 'outside looking in' approach bypasses the need for membrane break-in, enabling new methods for probing neuronal dynamics.
• The technology holds promise for advancing neural interface technologies and intracellular drug delivery systems.