Cell array fluidic channel integrated with electrodes for cell-based multiple chemical sensing

This paper describes a hybrid device of a fluidic channel and electrodes for detection of membrane potential changes of Xenopus laevis oocytes (Xenopus oocytes). The fluidic device is composed poly(methyl methacrylate) and a silicon substrate that has needle-shaped structures for electrodes of two-electrode voltage clamping method that can measure ion flows across plasma membrane using a feedback amplifier and two electrodes inserted into a cell. To construct the fluidic device integrated with electrodes, we simulated and calculated the fluid behavior in the fluidic device for Xenopus oocytes array and investigated the flow rate for electrodes insertion into Xenopus oocytes. Using the device, we successfully demonstrated Xenopus oocytes array and detected the oocyte responses to K⁺ stimulus as a model of chemical sensing.