title: Development of a neuronal pressure sensor.
abstract: Neuronal sensory systems are capable of performing very complex signal processing functions. Reconstruction of such sensory systems in vitro should enable whole-cell biological sensors to be generated that possess inherent signal processing capabilities. In this paper, the results of preliminary investigations to produce a mechanosensory neuronal network are presented. An in vitro network of rat dorsal root ganglion neurons has been produced on a microelectrode plate revealing an interesting rhythmical pattern of spontaneous discharges. This periodic activity has been shown to be disrupted following the application of a static pressure to the cell culture. These results indicate that neuronal networks represent a practical system that may be used for the development of intelligent, whole-cell, biological sensors.
authors.affiliation: BioPhysics Research Group, Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (Winfrith), Dorchester, Dorset DT2 8XJ, UK. rdheal@dera.gov.uk
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Heal
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Lunt
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Pointer
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Parsons
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000502:physiology; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D051381:Rats; D015398:Signal Transduction