Ricerc@Sapienza

The project aims to realize a nano-engineered, new-generation tool amenable for high-resolution recording of electrophysiological activity from membrane of living cells offering the high spatial resolution comparable with a patch clamp electrode. The proposal is based on the fabrication of microelectrodes on a surface of plain substrate, disposed in array and contactable individually. The surface of the electrodes will be covered by a growth of silicon nanowires, whose dimensions in the nanometer range, will permit intimate contact with the cell membrane and an effective capability of recording the electrical activity on the surface. The electrode will also permit to activate the electroporation of the membrane and have electrical access to the interior of the cell measuring action potential.
If made available, this technology will fill the long-standing gap still existing in the field of highly-precise, large throughput tools currently available for basic to applied neuroscience and electro-cardiology. To do so, we will combine nanoscale electrodes with patterned microelectrodes. Our tool will predictably allow simultaneous extracellular and/or intracellular recording within the sample of choice reproducing the patch clamp behavior. With this project we hope to shed new light on the mechanisms underlying membrane electrical micro-dynamics of excitable (or non-excitable) cells within functional networks and their modulation by targeted pharmaceutical treatments.
Since the process of growth of the silicon nanowire (based on a Sapienza patent) is performed at low temperature (200°C), and thus is compatible with the standard integrated circuit, the project will represent an important step toward the realization of fully integrates biological system on chip.