Microelectrode array for electrical characterization of neuronal and muscular networks

微电极阵列（MEA）是电生理学领域的一项新兴技术，用于评估神经元和肌肉网络的生物电特性（如连通性、突触活动）。它提供了前所未有的高分辨率记录不同样本类型（如细胞培养、脑切片、类器官、分离器官和活体小动物）细胞群局部场电位（自发和刺激）的能力。该团队将利用这一强大的技术：1)剖析环境污染物的神经毒性背后的细胞机制，2)评估神经肌肉活动和行为之间的关系，3)推进对消化过程中肠道神经系统的理解，4)推进对视觉运动功能中突触通讯和可塑性的了解。MEA的使用将消除通路分析和环境基因表型定位的瓶颈，这是申请人研究计划的关键组成部分。还迫切需要设备来加强对多学科HQPs在电生理学方面的培训，使他们具备生物医学、药理学、毒理学和生物技术方面备受追捧和可转移的技能。

Microelectrode array (MEA) is an emerging technology in electrophysiology for assessing the bioelectrical properties (e.g., connectivity, synaptic activity) of neuronal and muscular networks. It offers unprecedented capacity for high resolution recording of local field potential - both spontaneous and stimulated - in cell populations in diverse sample types (e.g., cell culture, brain slice, organoids, isolated organs, and small animals in vivo). The team will employ this powerful technology to: i) dissect cellular mechanisms underlying the neurotoxicity of environmental contaminants, ii) assess relationship between neuromuscular activity and behavior, iii) advance understanding of the enteric nervous system in digestion, and iv) advance knowledge of synaptic communication and plasticity in visual-motor function. The use of MEA will remove bottlenecks in pathway analysis and environment-gene-phenotype mapping, the key components of the applicants' research programs. The equipment is also needed urgently to enhance training of a diverse group of multidisciplinary HQPs in electrophysiology, preparing them with highly sought-after and transferable skillsets in biomedical sciences, pharmacology, toxicology, and biotechnology.