RESUMEN
Recordings have been performed with a CMOS-based microelectrode array (MEA) featuring 11'016 metal electrodes and 126 channels, each of which comprises recording and stimulation electronics for extracellular, bidirectional communication with electrogenic cells. The important features of the device include (i) high spatial resolution at (sub) cellular level with 3'200 electrodes per mm(2) (diameter 7 microm, pitch 18 microm), (ii) a reconfigurable routing of the electrodes to the 126 channels, and (iii) low noise levels. Recordings from neonatal rat cardiomyocytes forming confluent layers and microtissues are shown. Moreover, signals from dissociated rat hippocampal neurons and from neurons in an acute cerebellar slice preparation are presented.
Asunto(s)
Dispositivos Laboratorio en un Chip , Miocitos Cardíacos/fisiología , Neuronas/fisiología , Animales , Pollos , Electrodos , Procesamiento de Imagen Asistido por Computador/instrumentación , Procesamiento de Imagen Asistido por Computador/métodos , Procedimientos Analíticos en Microchip/métodos , Microelectrodos , Ratas , Ratas Long-EvansRESUMEN
A monolithic microsystem in CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) technology is presented that provides bidirectional communication (stimulation and recording) between standard microelectronics and cultured electrogenic cells. The 128-electrode chip can be directly used as a substrate for cell culturing. It features circuitry units for stimulation and immediate cell signal treatment near each electrode. In addition, it provides on-chip A/D conversion as well as a digital interface so that a fast interaction is possible at good signal quality. Spontaneous and stimulated electrical activity recordings with neuronal and cardiac cell cultures will be presented. The system can be used to, e.g., study the behavior and development of neural networks in vitro, to reveal the effects of neuronal plasticity and to study network activity in response to pharmacological treatments.