Richard B. Brown - Research
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Chemical Sensor Array for Study of Neurons in vitro
Graduate Student Researcher: Timothy D. Strong

This research combines electrical "spike" recording with near-real time chemical information in a culture of human neural tissue. Microlithography techniques were used to produce an array of microelectrodes allowing chemical detection on a scale near that of a single neuron. The first generation devices successfully recorded single neuron firings, and neurotransmitter concentrations in living neurons. Work proceeds on a second-generation device incorporating circuitry onto the device with the microelectrode array. These devices will allow for larger arrays of electrodes, the monitoring of more neurons in the culture, and improved electrical and chemical resolution.