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Electronic control of Ca2+ signalling in neuronal cells using an organic electronic ion pump

Nature Materials volume 6, pages 673–679 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Cells and tissues use finely regulated ion fluxes for their intra- and intercellular communication. Technologies providing spatial and temporal control for studies of such fluxes are however, limited. We have developed an electrophoretic ion pump made of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(styrene sulphonate) (PEDOT:PSS) to mediate electronic control of the ion homeostasis in neurons. Ion delivery from a source reservoir to a receiving electrolyte via a PEDOT:PSS thin-film channel was achieved by electronic addressing. Ions are delivered in high quantities at an associated on/off ratio exceeding 300. This induces physiological signalling events that can be recorded at the single-cell level. Furthermore, miniaturization of the device to a 50-μm-wide channel allows for stimulation of individual cells. As this technology platform allows for electronic control of ion signalling in individual cells with proper spatial and temporal resolution, it will be useful in further studies of communication in biological systems.

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Figure 1: Biocompatibility of PEDOT:PSS.
Figure 2: The ion pump.
Figure 3: K+ transport.
Figure 4: Ca2+ transport.
Figure 5: Microscopy recordings of electronically induced ion flux in electrolyte and cells.

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Acknowledgements

We thank R. Sävenhed, Linköping University, for valuable help with the AAS. The project is funded by the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) as part of the ‘Bio-X program’ (ARD and MB) and the ‘Strategic Research Centre in Organic BioElectronics’ (OBOE) (MB and ARD). The Organic Electronics group at Linköping University in Norrköping is a member of the COE@COIN project, also funded by the SSF.

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Author notes

  1. Joakim Isaksson and Peter Kjäll: These authors contributed equally to this work

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Science and Technology, Campus Norrköping, Linköpings Universitet, SE-601 74 Norrköping, Sweden

    Joakim Isaksson, Nathaniel Robinson & Magnus Berggren

  2. Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden

    Peter Kjäll & Agneta Richter-Dahlfors

  3. Acreo AB, SE-602 21 Norrköping, Sweden

    David Nilsson

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Contributions

J.I., D.N. and N.D.R. were responsible for design, manufacturing and characterization of the device. P.K. carried out all cell experiments. M.B. and A.R.-D. were responsible for project planning and preparation of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Joakim Isaksson, Peter Kjäll or Magnus Berggren.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Isaksson, J., Kjäll, P., Nilsson, D. et al. Electronic control of Ca2+ signalling in neuronal cells using an organic electronic ion pump. Nature Mater 6, 673–679 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat1963

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