Bioelectronics: Study presents new design of nano-electrodes
One of the greatest challenges in modern neuroscience and for the development of neuromorphic chips is to study information processing in nerve networks with high spatial and temporal resolution and great signal quality. In this context, it is particularly interesting to be able to record not only the action potentials of the nerve cells but also the synaptic signal transmission between nerve cells, which is characterized by subthreshold signals of the postsynaptic potential (PSP). A team of scientists from the Institute of Bioelectronics at Forschungszentrum Jülich has now succeeded in developing a new type of nano-electrodes that represent a significant advance towards this goal. The study has now been published in the scientific journal “Small”. (Source: Forschungszentrum Jülich – Presse releases)
Proven methods for the investigation of neuronal signals, such as the patch-clamp technique, are characterized by high sensitivity. However, they are not suitable for long-term and multiparallel recordings due to their invasiveness and technical limitations. Planar microelectrode arrays (MEAs) provide low-amplitude signals that are difficult to assign. The unresolved subthreshold signals result in a loss of valuable information.
The new type of electrode consists of a combination of nanotubes embedded in nanocavity microelectrode arrays (NC-MEA). The tubes provide tight coupling between the cell and the electrode, while the nanocavity reduces the electrode impedance. This high amplitude sensitivity persisted for several weeks in the nerve cell culture studied. Thus, the new NS-NC-MEAs present themselves as a non-invasive platform particularly suitable for long-term neurophysiological experiments. The novel nanoelectrodes can be reproduced by standard procedures.
The original press release can be found at:
Bioelektronik: Studie stellt neues Design von Nano-Elektroden vor (only in german)
The original publication can be found at:
Pegah Shokoohimehr, Bogdana Cepkenovic, Frano Milos, Justus Bednár, Hossein Hassani, Vanessa Maybeck, and Andreas Offenhäusser, High-Aspect-Ratio Nanoelectrodes Enable Long-Term Recordings of Neuronal Signals with Subthreshold Resolution, Small 2022, 2200053; DOI: 10.1002/smll.202200053
Localization in the Helmholtz Research Field Information:
Helmholtz Research Field Information, Program 2: Natural, Artificial and Cognitive Information Processing, Topic 4: Molecular and Cellular Information Processing
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Andreas Offenhäusser
Head of the Institute for Bioelectronics (IBI-3)
Forschungszentrum Jülich
Phone: +49 2461/61-2330
E-Mail: a.offenhaeusser@fz-juelich.de
Contact for this press release:
Erhard Zeiss
Press Officer
Forschungszentrum Jülich
Phone: +49 2461 61-1841
E-Mail: e.zeiss@fz-juelich.de
