IDBR: Solid State Patch-Clamping with Stealth Probes

IDBR：带隐形探针的固态膜片钳细胞活动的电测量在理解神经通信和测试药物治疗的不良反应方面起着关键作用。然而，目前的测量技术要么导致细胞快速死亡，要么提供低质量的数据，严重限制了对这些活动的监测和理解。因此，迫切需要一种新的仪器，其提供长持续时间、高质量的电电池测量，其易于使用并且可以同时测量多个电池。关键的障碍是在细胞膜和细胞穿透电极之间建立一个紧密的连接。该研究项目通过创建模拟生物跨膜蛋白的结构和功能的金属电极来探索解决这一问题的独特方法。这些电极被设计为融合到脂质膜中，从而能够直接进入细胞而不会泄漏。电极结构、表面改性和尺寸将被优化，以提供最佳的电结和电池寿命。最终的架构将被开发成一个简单易用的96电极平台，用于低噪声、长期的电池测量。这项工作的更广泛的影响是大大提高了电生理记录和刺激的数量，质量和持续时间，以及培养跨学科科学研究的本科生，研究生和中学教师。最终的平台将极大地影响神经网络，神经元生理学和药物筛选的研究，其中缓慢的测试速率和较差的细胞活力限制了可以进行的实验的数量和类型。使用该设备，可以同时刺激和记录多达96个神经元的互连网络，从而前所未有地了解神经网络中阈下电压信号的演变。这些平台还将在更快地验证和筛选候选药物的潜在副作用方面发挥至关重要的作用，从而加强公共卫生和安全。

IDBR: Solid State Patch-Clamping with Stealth ProbesElectrical measurements of cell activity play a critical role in understanding neural communication and testing for adverse reactions to pharmaceutical therapies. However, current measurement techniques either cause rapid cell death or provide low-quality data, severely limiting monitoring and understanding of these activities. There is thus a compelling need for a new instrument that provides long-duration, high-quality electrical cell measurements that is easy to use and can measure a number of cells at the same time. The key obstacle is creating an intimate junction between the cell membrane and a cell-penetrating electrode. This research program explores a unique approach to this problem by creating metallic electrodes that mimic the structure and functionality of biological transmembrane proteins. These electrodes are designed to fuse into the lipid membrane, enabling direct electrical access into the cell without leakage. Electrode structure, surface modification and size will be optimized to provide the best electrical junctions and cell longevity. The final architecture will be developed into a simple to use, 96-electrode platform for low-noise, long-term electrical cell measurements. The broader impact of this work is greatly enhancing the number, quality, and duration of electrophysiological recording and stimulation, as well as training undergraduate students, graduate students, and middle school teachers in interdisciplinary scientific research. The final platform will dramatically impact studies of neural networks, neuron physiology, and drug screening, where slow testing rates and poor cell viability limits the number and types of experiments that can be performed. With this device, interconnected networks of up to 96 neurons could be stimulated and recorded simultaneously, allowing an unprecedented view of the evolution of sub-threshold voltage signaling in neural networks. These platforms will also play a crucial role in faster validation and screening for potential side effects of drug candidates, enhancing public health and safety.