Development of a Neuronal Co-Culture Bioactive Compound Sensor with Digital Stimulation and Recording Capacity

Infoscitex Corporation and the University of Massachusetts Lowell will investigate the physiology of interactions of important cortical regions by culturing murine associative and motor neurons within physically-separated culture environments in a single culture dish, connected only via axons elaborating from the associative neurons. The entire culture dish will be mounted on previously-validated electrode arrays, which will allow selective stimulation of associative neurons and recording of resultant synaptic signaling of motor neurons via a well-established digital biosensor. Communication efficiency will be compared under conditions that maximize or impede synaptic and response performance. Biomarkers for enhanced function, including neurotransmitter levels and alterations in mRNA levels will be determined. Cultures will be generated from normal mice and from mice harboring genetic alterations, also present within the human population, which diminish their cognitive performance, increase stress, and promote aggressive behavior, and for which we have been able to compensate by simple nutriceutical supplementation. Comparative studies of neural networks from these genetically-compromised mice with networks from normal mice will therefore be directly applicable for testing of therapeutic or protective interventions, and exposure to environmental insults or pathogens.