"Long-playing" intracellular electrode
A nanoscale probe has been introduced into the membrane of a living cell for the first timeYuri Svidinenko, NanoNewsNet based on Physorg materials:
Nanoscale 'stealth' probe slides into cell walls seamlesslyAn artificial implant has been successfully inserted into the cell membrane wall for the first time, providing researchers with a simple interaction with the inside of a living cell.
This became possible thanks to the use of new nanostructured components.
Scientists Benjamin Almquist (Benjamin Almquist) and Nick Melosh (Nick Melosh) from Stanford University (Stanford University) were able to insert a probe into the cell membrane for the first time.
In cytological studies, it is often necessary to interact with the living contents of the cell. But how to do this without damaging the cell membrane? Often, during cytological experiments, the cell dies, which makes it impossible to conduct more detailed studies. For example, it is difficult to learn about the processes of electrical activity accompanying the main biochemical processes in the cytoplasm.
Usually, the cell dies within three to four hours after the electrodes are inserted into it. Scientists from Stanford were able to extend this short period of time to a week.
The probe used by Benjamin and Nick is literally implanted into the two-layer lipid membrane of the cell. A semiconductor electrode with a length of 600 nanometers and a diameter of 200 nm is coated at one end with a thin layer of chromium with gold villi grown on it. The latter, in turn, were coated with a carbon hydrophobic coating, so the probe "pushed apart" the membrane, penetrating into the cell. At the same time, the lipid layer was not damaged.
According to the researchers, the successful development of such technology can greatly improve modern neural interfaces and spinal cord implants.
The scientists reported on their achievements in the current issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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