2017 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report
Electrical TFT platform for fundamental understanding of neuromuscular communication in the aim of neuroprosthesis.
| Project/Area Number |
16H04344
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| Research Institution | The University of Tokyo |
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Principal Investigator |
ティクシェ三田 アニエス 東京大学, 先端科学技術研究センター, 准教授 (00334368)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
池内 与志穂 東京大学, 生産技術研究所, 講師 (30740097)
年吉 洋 東京大学, 先端科学技術研究センター, 教授 (50282603)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
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| Keywords | Bio-sensor / Integrated Device / Thin-Film-Transistor / Bio-Neural Network / Neuroprosthesis |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
The purpose of this project is to develop an electrical platform, based on the Thin-Film-Transistor (TFT) glass substrate from TFT/LCD displays, for fundamental understanding of biological cells interactions. The aim of the platform is to mimic in vivo environment to develop biomedical solutions for neuroprosthesis.
This platform would gather the possibility of electrical stimulation and sensing of biological cells, and optical studies for comparison with artificial biomimetic neural systems. Muscle cells / motor neurons versus muscle cells / artificial biomimetic neural network is the system taken as an application, for further understanding of ALS disease.
During FY2017, the different aspects of the platform developed separatly during FY2016 were assembled to create two semi-complete platforms dedicated to: ⑤ electrical stimulations applications, and ⑥ electrical sensing applications.
The ① Arduino card developed during FY2016 for the 2D control of the platform was tested, characterized, programmed and adapted for stimulation and sensing purpose. It allows to apply any kind of signal, and to sense neurons activity anywhere on the platform. With the ⑤ semi-complete platform for stimulation, excitation of the neurons could be confirmed using calcium imaging: this technique allows to observe by fluorescence the neurons activity. With the ⑥ semi-complete platform for neurons activity sensing, natural activity of neurons, as well as the activity due to external stimulation, were successfully registered on a culture of neurons.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
1: Research has progressed more than it was originally planned.
Reason
The different collaborators of this project have conducted successfully the research plan proposed in the Kakenhi application. In particular, the current status of the project is the following:
The two semi-platforms ⑤ for electrical stimulations and ⑥ for electrical sensing for neurons cultured on the devices are now currently used, and 2D-controled by means of the ① Arduino card. Neurons activity calcium imaging is currently performed to confirm the viability of the neurons, the successful stimulation and to justify the electrical activity measurements.
Only simple square shape excitation signal were applied, showing good results. The artificial neural stimulation signal will be tested during FY2018.
Experiments using muscle cells culture has not yet been conducted.
Results of the usage of the Arduino card, and results of stimulation and sensing of neurons culture were published as well in conferences and journals.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
The objective of the FY2018 will be to gather the two semi-platforms to realize one complete platform. Its purpose will be to perfomr with the same device stimulation and sensing. For that pupose new devices with a new design were fabricated and are now under test. They allow a higher sensitivity compared to the previous design.
Then electrical experiments of stimulation and sensing will be performed using not only simple pulse excitation, but also using artificial neural stimulations. This last part will be the key point of the reseearch performed during FY2018. The results obtained will be followed by comparisons with standard results and interpretation.
Finally, when the experiments will be stabilized and meaningful, co-culture of neurons with muscle cells will be performed and investigation of the communication between motor neurons and muscle cells will be conducted.
All electrical experiments with biological cells will be confirmed optically using fluorescence observation of cells ionic activity.
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