Neuron‐based microarray sensors for environmental sensing

Abstract

We present a novel sensing scheme for detecting the effects of unburned fossil fuels by integrating microarray technology and dielectrophoresis to develop single-neuron arrays. These arrays have the capability to sense and identify the two fuels, at parts per billion (ppb) concentrations, as well to determine the associated physiological changes at the single-cell level. Identification is achieved through frequency domain analysis of the measured changes to the extracellular electrical activity due to the effect of the fossil fuels. This yields unique electrical identifiers known as "signature patterns". Simultaneous optical visualization to the physiological changes is obtained by specific fluorescent staining. The correlation between the signature patterns and the cellular biological behavior establishes the veracity of this identification technique.

Nanoporous Noninvasive Cellular Electrical Activity-Based Analysis Devices

“…This has been explained in detail elsewhere for recordings from a micro-ordered substrate. 18,19 The process is similar in the case of the nanoporous substrate. Briefly, the porous alumina substrate was masked with a dark contact mask using conventional photolithography methods, and gold was vacuum-deposited on the exposed areas to fabricate measurement pads (10 mm  10 mm).…”

“…Typically, they are based on the nominal molecular weight cutoff of the membrane; however, the nonuniformity in membrane architectures makes it difficult to define the absolute cutoff dimensions, as well as the channel length, pore sizes, and distribution. 18 Conversely, the integration of microfabrication and nanofabrication technologies allows precise control of the pore size, pore distribution, and diffusion path length. Therefore, due to the uniformity and known geometry of the nanoporous membrane developed using the two-step anodization technique; it is much more straightforward to determine important diffusion parameters.…”

Nano Monitors for Identification of Vulnerable Cardio-vascular Plaque

“…The FFT analysis identified the frequency at which the energy localization of the time domain signal occurred (Prasad et al, 2004). The FFT analysis identified the frequency at which the energy localization of the time domain signal occurred (Prasad et al, 2004).…”

Development of neurons on micropatterns reveals that growth cone responds to a sharp change of concentration of laminin

“…Understanding how neurons develop and organize into functional circuits and networks in vitro is not only of fundamental interest in neuroscience but also one of the cornerstones for potential future information technologies, such as neuron-based biosensors and artificial neuronal networks [1][2][3][4][5]. Patterning dissociated mammalian neurons and characterizing their functional connections have been one of the main approaches for these studies [6,7].…”