MEA tri-culturing ioGABAergic Neurons, ioGlutamatergic Neurons and astrocytes

Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neurons enable the study of neuronal cell biology and electrophysiology in both healthy and pathological contexts. While studying mono-cultures of excitatory (glutamatergic) or inhibitory (GABAergic) neurons can be helpful, the functions of both these types of neurons are intimately connected in the human brain. To understand the interconnected relationships of these neuronal cells in healthy conditions and during neurological diseases it is necessary to culture them together in vitro, along with supporting glial cells such as astrocytes.

A multielectrode array (MEA) is a tool used in neuroscience to record electrical activity from multiple points in a cell culture simultaneously. It consists of a grid of small electrodes that can detect electrical signals from individual cells or groups of cells. MEAs are particularly beneficial in cell research as they allow for high-throughput, non-invasive monitoring of neural activity, enabling detailed studies on neural development, disease modelling, and drug screening in a controlled environment.