Simultaneous Stimulation and Recording in Scalable Microelectrode Arrays

描述（由申请方提供）：拟定研究利用新型电子和微制造技术创建符合多孔板行业标准的可扩展体外微电极阵列（MEA）技术。这项研究不仅将使网络水平的电生理学研究取得快速进展，而且还将为药物研究和毒性筛选创造新的机会。第二阶段的建议涉及神经学研究的两个重大进展。具体而言，目标1建立在第一阶段开发的可扩展的同时刺激和记录集成电路（IC）的基础上，以产生用于捕获、处理和存储电生理信息的完整电子平台。在其众多优点中，该电子平台将恢复传统上被刺激伪影掩盖的信号。这些捕获的数据，结合同时管理768个微电极和自动化实验方案的能力，将提供单细胞和网络级神经活动的新测量方法。目标2将产生可扩展的，廉价的，灵活的工艺，用于制造多孔膜电极，结合目标1中开发的电子产品，将产生高通量，网络电生理工具集。 公共卫生相关性：这项研究使用新的电子和制造技术，为神经研究创造更快，更低成本的方法。最终，这一发展将促进医学和科学发现，这将有利于治疗帕金森病和癫痫等神经疾病。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The proposed study utilizes novel electronics and microfabrication techniques to create scalable, in-vitro Microelectrode Array (MEA) technologies that conform to industry standards for multiwell plates. This research will not only enable rapid advancements in the study of network-level electrophysiology, but it will also create new opportunities for pharmaceutical research and toxicity screening. This Phase II proposal involves two significant developments for neurological research. Specifically, Aim 1 builds on the scalable simultaneous stimulation and recording Integrated Circuit (IC) developed in Phase I to produce a full electronics platform for capturing, processing and storing electrophysiological information. Among its many advantages, this electronics platform will recover signals traditionally obscured by stimulation artifacts. This captured data, combined with the ability to simultaneously manage 768 microelectrodes and automate experimental protocols, will provide new measures of single-cell and network-level neural activity. Aim 2 will produce scalable, inexpensive, and flexible processes for fabricating multiwell MEAs that, in conjunction with the electronics developed in Aim 1, will yield a high-throughput, network-electrophysiology toolset. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: This research uses novel electronic and fabrication technologies to create faster, lower-cost methods for neural research. Ultimately, this development will facilitate medical and scientific discoveries that will benefit the treatment of neural disorders such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy.