title: The use of neuronal networks on multielectrode arrays as biosensors.
abstract: Mammalian spinal neuronal networks growing on arrays of photoetched electrodes in culture provide a highly stable system for the long-term monitoring of multichannel, spontaneous or evoked electrophysiological activity. In the absence of the homeostatic control mechanisms of the central nervous system, these networks show remarkable sensitivities to minute chemical changes and mimic some of the properties of sensory tissue. These sensitivities could be enhanced by receptor up-regulation and altered by the expression of unique receptors. The fault-tolerant spontaneous network activity is used as a dynamic platform on which large changes in activity signify detection of chemical substances. We present strategies for the expression of novel supersensitivities to foreign molecules via genetic engineering that involves the grafting of ligand binding cDNA onto truncated native receptor DNA and the subsequent expression of such chimeric receptors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton 76203, USA.
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Rhoades
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Azzazy
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D001330:Electronic Data Processing; D005998:Glycine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000494:pharmacology; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014162:Transfection; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D005998:Glycine