The OptoMEA platform: a new tool combining local chemical stimulation with distributed multi-electrode array recordings

We present a novel OptoMEA platform that combines multisite electrical recording with local chemical stimulation. Applying UV light pulses through an array of optical fibres aligned to transparent indium-tin oxide electrodes of an MEA biochip leads to local compound uncaging (e.g. glutamate), thereby stimulating only the tissue/cells around the electrode vicinity. Experimental results obtained using the OptoMEA platform demonstrate its capability to uncage chemical compounds and to locally stimulate neuronal networks, thus providing a significant improvement in spatial control of chemical stimulation. It is expected that this methodology will be useful in facilitating studies of neuronal network systems, and may also find applications in drug screening.