The goal of this project is to develop a micromachined, multielectrode microprobe capable of detecting multiple analytes, e.g., glutamate and dopamine, simultaneously in near real-time in the brains of live rodents. Glutamate and dopamine are neurotransmitters whose imbalance has been linked to neurological disorders such as Huntington's disease and Parkinson's disease. The envisioned microprobe would be a powerful new tool for the elucidation of the mechanisms behind such neurological disorders. This project is a collaborative effort among engineers and a neuroscientist that aims to design and fabricate the microprobes with an on- probe reference microelectrode as well as microelectrodes engineered for the selective electrochemical detection of both glutamate and dopamine simultaneously. The microprobe also will be characterized fully and tested both in vitro and in vivo. Over 100 devices will be constructed simultaneously on four-inch silicon wafers with two to five micron-sized electrodes per probe using micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) fabrication technologies. One or more microelectrode sites per probe will be chemically modified with permselective polymer films and immobilized glutamate oxidase for the electroenzymatic detection of glutamate. A novel technology to encapsulate glutamate oxidase in porous polymer nanoparticles will be used to improve enzyme stability and to enable its selective electrodeposition on microelectrodes. Dopamine will be detected at one or more microelectrode sites modified for the rapid, direct electrooxidation of this analyte. These microprobes will serve as a platform for the creation of additional multi-analyte sensing devices useful for measurements in vivo.

Public Health Relevance

The goal of this project is to produce a microsensor that can be used by neuroscientists to measure changes in the levels of multiple chemical species simultaneously in the brains of laboratory rodents. This new tool will lead to the discovery of new fundamental knowledge on important neurological disorders including Parkinson's disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21NS064547-02
Application #
7895099
Study Section
Neurotechnology Study Section (NT)
Program Officer
Sieber, Beth-Anne
Project Start
2009-07-16
Project End
2012-06-30
Budget Start
2010-07-01
Budget End
2012-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$182,430
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Los Angeles
Department
Engineering (All Types)
Type
Schools of Engineering
DUNS #
092530369
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90095
Wassum, Kate M; Tolosa, Vanessa M; Tseng, Tina C et al. (2012) Transient extracellular glutamate events in the basolateral amygdala track reward-seeking actions. J Neurosci 32:2734-46
Tseng, Tina T-C; Monbouquette, Harold G (2012) Implantable Microprobe with Arrayed Microsensors for Combined Amperometric Monitoring of the Neurotransmitters, Glutamate and Dopamine. J Electroanal Chem (Lausanne) 682:141-146
Du, Juanjuan; Yu, Changming; Pan, Daocheng et al. (2010) Quantum-dot-decorated robust transductable bioluminescent nanocapsules. J Am Chem Soc 132:12780-1