Stretchable microelectrode array enables non-invasive signal monitoring in organoids

A KAIST analysis group has developed a extremely stretchable microelectrode array (sMEA) designed for non-invasive electrophysiological sign measurement of organoids. The group was led by Professor Hyunjoo J. Lee from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in collaboration with Dr. Mi-Younger Son and Dr. Mi-Okay Lee at Korea Analysis Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB).

Their work is revealed in Superior Supplies.

Organoids are extremely promising fashions for human biology and are anticipated to switch many animal experiments. Their potential functions embody illness modeling, drug screening, and personalised drugs as they carefully mimic the construction and performance of people.

Regardless of these benefits, current organoid analysis has primarily targeted on genetic evaluation, with restricted research on organoid performance. For efficient drug analysis and exact organic analysis, expertise that preserves the three-dimensional construction of organoids whereas enabling real-time monitoring of their features is required. Nevertheless, it is difficult to supply non-invasive methods to guage the functionalities with out incurring injury to the tissues.

This problem is especially vital for electrophysiological sign measurement in cardiac and mind organoids, for the reason that sensor must be in direct contact with organoids of various measurement and irregular form. Reaching tight contact between electrodes and the exterior floor of the organoids with out damaging the organoids has been a persistent problem.

The KAIST analysis group developed a extremely stretchable microelectrode array with a novel serpentine construction that contacts the floor of organoids in a extremely conformal style. They efficiently demonstrated real-time measurement and evaluation of electrophysiological alerts from two varieties of electrogenic organoids (coronary heart and mind).

By using a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS)-based course of, the group fabricated the serpentine-structured microelectrode array and used an electrochemical deposition course of to develop PEDOT:PSS-based protruding microelectrodes. These improvements demonstrated distinctive stretchability and shut floor adherence to numerous organoid sizes.

The protruding microelectrodes improved contact between organoids and the electrodes, guaranteeing steady and dependable electrophysiological sign measurements with excessive signal-to-noise ratios (SNR).

Utilizing this expertise, the group efficiently monitored and analyzed electrophysiological alerts from cardiac spheroids of assorted sizes, revealing three-dimensional sign propagation patterns and figuring out modifications in sign traits in keeping with measurement. Additionally they measured electrophysiological alerts in midbrain organoids, demonstrating the flexibility of the expertise. Moreover, they monitored sign modulations induced by numerous medication, showcasing the potential of this expertise for drug screening functions.

Prof. Hyunjoo Jenny Lee acknowledged, “By integrating MEMS expertise and electrochemical deposition methods, we efficiently developed a stretchable microelectrode array adaptable to organoids of various dimensions and shapes.

“The excessive practicality is a significant benefit of this technique for the reason that fabrication relies on semiconductor fabrication with excessive quantity manufacturing, reliability, and accuracy. This expertise that permits in situ, real-time evaluation of states and functionalities of organoids will likely be a sport changer in high-through drug screening.”

This examine was led by Ph.D. candidate Kiup Kim from KAIST and Ph.D. candidate Youngsun Lee from KRIBB, with vital contributions from Dr. Kwang Bo Jung.