Work

Optically transparent electrodes for ultrasensitive real-time detection of dopamine in brain-on-a-chip applications

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Brain-on-a-chip models are rapidly being adopted in disease modeling and drug discovery,however characterization of the brain model condition often requires both the use of microscopy techniques and evaluation of neuronal activity. Although electrochemical techniques can offer the required selectivity between neuronal subtypes but also sensitivity in simple buffer solutions, a complete loss of electrode functionality is often observed when the brain model has been cultured directly on the electrode material or when recordings are performed in the culture medium.We prepared optically transparent sensors capable of accurately measuring dopamine at nanomolar concentrations in real-time. Furthermore, we displayed the recording of both spontaneous and stimulated release of dopamine from primary mouse midbrain culture for the first time, as measured inside the culture medium. Due to excellent optical transparency, we were able to perform fluorescence microscopy but also live-cell Ca2+ imaging through the electrodes.Lastly, biocompatibility of the sensors was validated by various different techniques and by using highly sensitive in vitro brain-on-a-chip cultures.

Source: Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research

DOI: 10.1016/j.sbsr.2025.100882