| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/S08237/01 |
| Title: |
Bi-directional interfacing of electronics and cultured neurons |
| Principal Investigator: |
Robbins, Dr JG |
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| Department: |
GKT School of Biomedical Sciences |
| Organisation: |
Kings College London |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
04 August 2003 |
Ends: |
03 August 2006 |
Value (£): |
213,392
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Biomedical neuroscience |
Electronic Devices & Subsys. |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The overall aim is to advance our understanding of how mammalian nerve cells can be optimally connected to integrated electronic circuitry for neurobiological research and medical applications.Current methods for directly measuring neural activity use patch clamps or optical recording. The first method is bi-directional, but does not have the ability to make reliable one-to-one connections to single neurones over an extended period as it is intrusive. The second method allows only recording and requires imaging technology if an automatic system is to be used. This implies a large amount of storage and the development of software to interpret the firing patterns. Like patch clamping, the fluorescent dyes used for optical imaging are not suitable for long-term measurements: the lifespan of treated cells is measured in hours. In this proposal we describe an alternative method which has the potential to overcome many of the problems described above. The method involves connecting mammalian nerve cells to integrated electronic circuitry using extracellular electrodes. Although in principle this is not a new idea, use of the technique to date has required a high level of experimental expertise and of specialized silicon processing. The non-invasive nature of extracellular electrodes allows long-term measurements to be made.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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