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Microfluidic platforms for single neuron analysis.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Gupta, Pallavi 
Shinde, Ashwini 
Illath, Kavitha 
Kar, Srabani 
Nagai, Moeto 

Abstract

Single-neuron actions are the basis of brain function, as clinical sequelae, neuronal dysfunction or failure for most of the central nervous system (CNS) diseases and injuries can be identified via tracing single-neurons. The bulk analysis methods tend to miscue critical information by assessing the population-averaged outcomes. However, its primary requisite in neuroscience to analyze single-neurons and to understand dynamic interplay of neurons and their environment. Microfluidic systems enable precise control over nano-to femto-liter volumes via adjusting device geometry, surface characteristics, and flow-dynamics, thus facilitating a well-defined micro-environment with spatio-temporal control for single-neuron analysis. The microfluidic platform not only offers a comprehensive landscape to study brain cell diversity at the level of transcriptome, genome, and/or epigenome of individual cells but also has a substantial role in deciphering complex dynamics of brain development and brain-related disorders. In this review, we highlight recent advances of microfluidic devices for single-neuron analysis, i.e., single-neuron trapping, single-neuron dynamics, single-neuron proteomics, single-neuron transcriptomics, drug delivery at the single-neuron level, single axon guidance, and single-neuron differentiation. Moreover, we also emphasize limitations and future challenges of single-neuron analysis by focusing on key performances of throughput and multiparametric activity analysis on microfluidic platforms.

Description

Keywords

Microelectrode array, Microfluidic devices, Omics, Single axon guidance, Single cell analysis, Single neuron analysis, Single neuron dynamics

Journal Title

Mater Today Bio

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2590-0064
2590-0064

Volume Title

13

Publisher

Elsevier BV