Amplified Microelectrode Recordings of Neuron Clusters in a Three Dimensional Cell Culture Chip

Amplified neuronal signals can be recorded by microelectrode array (MEA) in microfluidic channels where neurons were cultured in 3D. MEA was located at the bottom of channels where only axons, isolated from somas by collagen blocks, were grown. The impedance of microchannels is higher than that of open chambers, creating enhanced signals at electrodes compared to simple chambers. The first signals were recorded at 3 weeks during the 5 weeks of culture period. The magnitude of signals was increased at week 5 and decreased afterwards. This chip is expected to provide a useful tool for long-term cultures of neurons that can observe axon growth as well as amplified action potentials.