A low-cost, 3D-printed open-source platform for acute brain slice electrophysiology

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Physiology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Brain slice electrophysiology is crucial for studying neural function but is limited by expensive equipment.
• Resource-limited laboratories face significant barriers to accessing essential electrophysiology tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design, fabricate, and validate an open-source, low-cost field recording platform for acute brain slice electrophysiology.
• To enhance accessibility of electrophysiological techniques in neuroscience research.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing with PLA filaments to construct a submerged recording chamber, tissue-positioning stage, and suction assembly.
• Validated the platform using acute hippocampal slices from C57BL/6N mice, performing field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) recordings.
• Conducted thermal characterization to assess perfusate distribution and temperature equilibration.

Main Results:

• The 3D-printed platform was fabricated at a minimal material cost of approximately $1.23 USD.
• High-fidelity fEPSP signals and reproducible stimulus-response relationships were achieved in the CA3-CA1 Schaffer collateral pathway.
• Stable recording baselines and uniform perfusate distribution with rapid temperature equilibration were demonstrated.

Conclusions:

• The open-source 3D-printed platform provides a cost-effective and accessible solution for acute brain slice electrophysiology.
• The design's open availability and validation facilitate widespread adoption and replication within the neuroscience community.
• This innovation democratizes advanced electrophysiological research capabilities.