Issue 22, 2018

An integrated microfluidic/microelectrode array for the study of activity-dependent intracellular dynamics in neuronal networks

Abstract

In the central nervous system, neurons are organized in specific neural networks with distinct electrical patterns, input integration capacities, and intracellular dynamics. In order to better understand how neurons process information, it is crucial to keep the complex organization of brain circuits. However, performing subcellular investigations with high spatial and temporal resolution in vivo is technically challenging, especially in fine structures, such as axonal projections. Here, we present an on-a-chip system that combines a microfluidic platform with a dedicated matrix of electrodes to study activity-dependent dynamics in the physiological context of brain circuits. Because this system is compatible with high-resolution video-microscopy, it is possible to simultaneously record intracellular dynamics and electrical activity in presynaptic axonal projections and in their postsynaptic neuronal targets. Similarly, specific patterns of electrical activity can be applied to both compartments in order to investigate how intrinsic and network activities influence intracellular dynamics. The fluidic isolation of each compartment further allows the selective application of drugs at identified sites to study activity-dependent synaptic transmission. This integrated microfluidic/microelectrode array (microMEA) platform is a valuable tool for studying various intracellular and synaptic dynamics in response to neuronal activity in a physiologically relevant context that resembles in vivo brain circuits.

Graphical abstract: An integrated microfluidic/microelectrode array for the study of activity-dependent intracellular dynamics in neuronal networks

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
04 Jul 2018
Accepted
30 Sep 2018
First published
01 Okt 2018

Lab Chip, 2018,18, 3425-3435

An integrated microfluidic/microelectrode array for the study of activity-dependent intracellular dynamics in neuronal networks

E. Moutaux, B. Charlot, A. Genoux, F. Saudou and M. Cazorla, Lab Chip, 2018, 18, 3425 DOI: 10.1039/C8LC00694F

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements