All-carbon multi-electrode array for real-time in vitro measurements of oxidizable neurotransmitters

Sci Rep. 2016 Feb 9:6:20682. doi: 10.1038/srep20682.

Abstract

We report on the ion beam fabrication of all-carbon multi electrode arrays (MEAs) based on 16 graphitic micro-channels embedded in single-crystal diamond (SCD) substrates. The fabricated SCD-MEAs are systematically employed for the in vitro simultaneous amperometric detection of the secretory activity from populations of chromaffin cells, demonstrating a new sensing approach with respect to standard techniques. The biochemical stability and biocompatibility of the SCD-based device combined with the parallel recording of multi-electrodes array allow: i) a significant time saving in data collection during drug screening and/or pharmacological tests over a large number of cells, ii) the possibility of comparing altered cell functionality among cell populations, and iii) the repeatition of acquisition runs over many cycles with a fully non-toxic and chemically robust bio-sensitive substrate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Chromaffin Cells / cytology
  • Chromaffin Cells / metabolism*
  • Diamond*
  • Electrodes
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / analysis*
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / metabolism
  • Oxidation-Reduction

Substances

  • Neurotransmitter Agents
  • Diamond