Development of a multifunctional microfluidic system for studies of nerve cell activity during hypoxic and anoxic conditions

• Hemoproteins usually supply cells and tissue with oxygen. A new hemoprotein mainly present in nerve cells called Neuroglobin was recently discovered. Enhanced expression of the protein has been shown to reduce hypoxic neural injury but the mechanism behind this function remains unknown. Methods enabling investigation of the protein in single functional neurons need to be developed. Here, we have studied how the electrical signaling capacity of a neuron was affected by hypoxic environments. Preliminary results show a trend of higher noise-level when a neuron is exposed to hypoxic compared to normoxic surroundings, which implies increased ion-channel activity. The setup used today shows shortages such as reduced control over the oxygen content due to leakage. Therefore, a gas-tight, multifunctional microfluidic system is under development which enables us to study influences of Neuroglobin concentrations on neuronal activity during hypoxia and anoxia. For electrophysiological recordings a patch-clamp micro pipette will be molded into the walls of the microfluidic system. A single biological cell is steered towards the pipette and attached there by means of optical tweezers. The Neuroglobin oxygen binding state will be studied using optical spectroscopy and the neuron environment will be manipulated by applying flows of varying oxygen content through the microfluidic system. This system will constitute a powerful tool in the investigation of the Neuroglobin mechanism of action.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Medicinteknik -- Annan medicinteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Medical Engineering -- Other Medical Engineering (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Fysiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Physiology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Hypoxia

Multifunctional microfluidic system

Neuroglobin

Optical spectroscopy

Optical tweezers

Patch clamp

Medical Engineering for Healthcare

Medicinsk teknik för hälsovård

Centre - Centre for Biomedical Engineering and Physics (CMTF)

Centrumbildning - Centrum för medicinsk teknik och fysik (CMTF)

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kon (subject category)