Control of Neurons and Astrocytes through Microelectrochemical Microenvironmental pH Modulation
Abstract
The behavior and function of neural cells including glial cells (e.g., astrocytes) and neurons are governed by the cellular microenvironmental pH landscapes. However, the control of neural cells through microenvironmental pH modulation remains an open question since the pH microenvironments are spatiotemporally heterogenous while known pH modulation methods are based on CO2-HCO3 - buffering and H+ diffusion and, thereby, slow and unspecific. Hence there is a critical need to control neural cells through pH modulation with high spatiotemporal resolutions. The overall goal of the project is to elucidate the spatiotemporal microenvironmental-pH factors in regulating astrocytic-neuronal behavior and function, by using an approach we have developed to fabricate a microelectrode of atomically engineered graphene to create a real-time controllable, localized pH microenvironment in an astrocyte-neuron system cultured on the microelectrode. If successful, this project’s outcomes point towards advancements in bioelectronic controlling of astrocytes and neurons to enable applications including brain-machine interface, neural engineering, and brain regenerative medicine. To reach to the overall goal, I will achieve the following specific aims- Aim 1- Generation of localized pH microenvironment in an astrocyte-neuron system on a microelectrode of atomically engineered monolayer graphene. Aim 2- Control of astrocyte-neuron behavior and function via the modulation of localized pH microenvironment on an engineered-graphene microelectrode. I am uniquely positioned to conduct the project since I have developed a microelectrochemical approach to generate stable, reliable, localized microscale acidity on a graphene microelectrode and studied the cells cultured on the graphene microelectrode through electrical and microscopic methods. My lab is capable of engineering graphene to optimize its bio-transduction performance. Also, I have already secured collaborations on astrocyte-neuron biology and technology. Harnessing these techniques and resources in this project allows the control of the behavior and function of neural cells through the modulation of pH microenvironment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 07, 2024
- Source ID
- FA95502310601
Entities
People
- Jinglei Ping
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Massachusetts