Characteristics of single neurons cultured on microelectrode arrays in vitro for chemical sensing

In this paper, a single-neuron sensor was developed for chemical agent sensing. Single neurons were positioned over individual microelectrodes using positive dielectrophoretic traps. This enables the continuous extracellular electrophysiological measurements from individual neurons. A remarkably stable recording environment was obtained under the noninvasive conditions. The magnitude and temporal characteristics of an action potential recorded depended on sealing conditions. Then, consecutive sensing experiments were done to testify the stability and repeatability of this kind of single-neuron-based sensor. The responses of neuron-electrode sensor to chemical agent concentration change and to the consecutive experiments were also explored. This sensor exhibits a faster response with the increase of concentration and responds slowly during the consecutive experiments.