Multiple stimulation and detection of nerve cell activity employing field-effect transistors modified with Au nanoelectrodes

• Grant number: 07/03604-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: October 01, 2007
• End date: January 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Lauro Tatsuo Kubota
• Grantee: Alexandre Kisner
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The detection of electrophysiological signals plays a very important role in the comprehension of both, intra and inter cellular process. Further, measuring the electrical activity and detecting the released endogenous provides a more racionable way to understand the signal propagation among the cells. In this sense, arrays of field effect transistors modified with Au nanoelectrodes represent a powerful tool to detect electrophysiological signals, since the dimensions of that nanoelectrodes are comparable of those detected species, hence, simultaneous multiplex detection is possible. Moreover, such devices are considered non-invasive sensors, being able to detect intracellular potentials elicited by chemical or physical process. Herein, the project aims to develop an array of field effect transistors modified with Au nanoelectrodes. PC 12 cells will be directly co-cultured on the gate surface of transistors and a microchannels system will be implemented to collect endogenous transmitters. First of all, the array of transistors will be fabricated following a previous protocol developed by our group. Electrical activity before and after eliciting the cells will be performed. Artificial stimuli experiments using only the Au nanoelectrodes will be also carried out. The released transmitters will be analyzed with microdialysis technique. Finally, the results will be compared with literature.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

KISNER, Alexandre. Preparation of nanostructured field effect transistors in the analysis of neurochemical processes. 2012. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Química Campinas, SP.