Integration of Pre-aligned Liquid Metal Electrodes for Neuronal Stimulation within an easy-to-assemble Microfluidic Platform

Neural stimulation and recording techniques play a critical role in understanding the nervous system. Electrophysiological experiments on neurons may lead to new clinical treatments for chronic neurodegenerative disease, as well as acute neural injury. A major limiting factor in the study of neurons is the cost and complexity of existing suitable research platforms. In this study, a low cost, easily fabricated research platform was developed for the study of neurons. Using basic photolithographic techniques and readily available materials, a compartmentalized microfluidic chamber with pre-aligned microelectrodes was developed. Neurons were grown in the devices and subjected to electrical stimulation, and fluorescence microscopy data was collected on neural response to stimulation and neural compatibility to the devices.Master of Scienc