Title: A Combined Surface Chemistry / Microwell Approach for Trapping Single Cells on Electrochemical Microelectrodes for Measurement of Quantal Exocytosis
Abstract: Electrochemical microelectrodes are commonly used to detect spikes of amperometric current that correspond to exocytosis of oxidizable transmitter from individual vesicles, i.e., quantal exocytosis. We are developing transparent multi- electrochemical electrode arrays on microchips in order to automate measurement of quantal exocytosis. Here we report the development of an improved device to target individual cells to each microelectrode in an array. Efficient targeting (∼75%) was achieved using cell-sized micro-well traps fabricated in SU-8 photoresist together with patterning of poly (L-lysine) in register with electrodes to promote cell adhesion.