title: Photoelectrical Stimulation of Neuronal Cells by an Organic Semiconductor-Electrolyte Interface.
abstract: As a step toward the realization of neuroprosthetics for vision restoration, we follow an electrophysiological patch-clamp approach to study the fundamental photoelectrical stimulation mechanism of neuronal model cells by an organic semiconductor-electrolyte interface. Our photoactive layer consisting of an anilino-squaraine donor blended with a fullerene acceptor is supporting the growth of the neuronal model cell line (N2A cells) without an adhesion layer on it and is not impairing cell viability. The transient photocurrent signal upon illumination from the semiconductor-electrolyte layer is able to trigger a passive response of the neuronal cells under physiological conditions via a capacitive coupling mechanism. We study the dynamics of the capacitive transmembrane currents by patch-clamp recordings and compare them to the dynamics of the photocurrent signal and its spectral responsivity. Furthermore, we characterize the morphology of the semiconductor-electrolyte interface by atomic force microscopy and study the stability of the interface in dark and under illuminated conditions.
authors.forename: Oliya S
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Abdullaeva
authors.affiliation: Kekulé Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Rheinische-Friedrich-Wilhelms-University of Bonn , Gerhard-Domagk-Str. 1, D-53121 Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.affiliation: Mads Clausen Institute, University of Southern Denmark , Alsion 2, DK-6400 Sønderborg, Denmark.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Balzer
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parisi
authors.affiliation: Kekulé Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Rheinische-Friedrich-Wilhelms-University of Bonn , Gerhard-Domagk-Str. 1, D-53121 Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Arne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lützen
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dedek
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schiek
mesh_terms: D000814:Aniline Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival; D003503:Cyclobutanes / Q000737:chemistry; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D037741:Fullerenes / Q000737:chemistry; D008027:Light; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry; D012666:Semiconductors
chemical_list: D000814:Aniline Compounds; D003503:Cyclobutanes; D004573:Electrolytes; D037741:Fullerenes; D010636:Phenols; C480596:squaraine