Local electrical stimulation of single adherent cells using three-dimensional electrode arrays with small interelectrode distances

In this paper, we describe the localized and selective electrical stimulation of single cells using a three-dimensional electrode array. The chip consisted of 84 nail-like electrodes with a stimulation surface of 0.8 um and interelectrode distances as small as 3 um. N2A cells were used to compare bipolar stimulation between one electrode in- and one outside the cell on the one hand, and two electrodes in the same cell on the other hand. Selective and localized stimulation of primary embryonic cardiomyocytes showed the possibility to use this chip with excitable cells. The response of the cells to applied electrical fields was monitored using calcium imaging whereas assessment of electroporation was determined following influx of propidium iodide. Arrays of these three-dimensional electrodes could eventually be used as a tool to selectively electroporate the membrane of single cells for genetic manipulation or to obtain electrical access to the inner compartment of the cell.