Local electrical stimulation of single myocytes using three-dimensional electrode arrays with small interelectrode distances

Abstract

In this paper, we describe the localized and selective electrical stimulation of single cells using a three-dimensional electrode array. The chip consisted of 84 nail-like electrodes with a stimulation surface of 0.8 μm2 and interelectrode distances as small as 3 μm. Immunohistochemical staining of actin filaments in cells on these electrode arrays showed a tight coupling between the cell membrane and the chip surface. Selective and localized stimulation of primary embryonic cardiomyocytes using biphasic voltage pulses was achieved. The response of the cells to the applied electrical field was monitored using calcium imaging. An increase in relative [Ca2+]i of 200% was seen upon applying stimulation pules of 1.2 V. Arrays of these three-dimensional electrodes could ultimately be used as a tool to selectively electroporate the membrane of single cells for genetic manipulation or to obtain electrical access to the inner compartment of the cell. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.