Creative Biolabs provides high-efficiency iPSC generation and application services for our customers all over the world. With the great potential in drug discovery, scientists at Creative Biolabs have developed the multi-electrode array (MEA) technology for the electrophysiological characterization of iPSC-derived cell lines, including cardiomyocytes and neurons.
Multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) are devices comprised of multiple plates or shanks through which neural signals are obtained and delivered. In general, there are two types of MEAs which are implantable MEAs used in vivo and non-implantable MEAs used in vitro. In biological research, MEA has been used for the electrophysiological characterization of iPS cell lines. Compared with the traditional patch-clamp methods, MEA provides a rapid and efficient approach for the analysis of electrophysiological characterization with higher throughput and reduced operator skill requirement. Moreover, MEA also enables experimental protocols including long-term chronic drug exposure, both 2D and 3D cultures for mixed cell populations, and the analysis of drug impact on cell-to-cell transmission of electrical signaling that is precluded by standard patch-clamp methodology. In this case, the combination of MEA and iPSC-derived cells provide an attractive approach for drug discovery.
Fig.1 Experimental setup for measurements of spontaneous electrical network activity. (Tukker, A.M. 2016)
In recent years, the production of cardiomyocytes (CM) derived from iPSCs shows promising potential for drug safety assessment. Now we are able to use MEA analysis of iPSC-CM to generate multiparameter data to profile drug impact on cardiomyocyte electrophysiology using a panel of various compounds active against key cardiac ion channels. Thus, the drug liability can be evaluated early in the drug discovery process. The main protocol and content list as follow:
Fig.2 Characterization of hiPSC-CMs. (Clements, M. 2014)
Current traditional test for neurotoxicity always relies on expensive and time-consuming in vivo animal experiments which limit its wide applications. The rapid development of iPSC technology presents great potential to solve this problem. The immunofluorescent staining would be used to demonstrate the human iPSC-derived neurons from various origins. According to the use of multi-well microelectrode array (mwMEA) recordings, we can demonstrate these human iPSC-derived cultures developing spontaneous neuronal activity over time and it can be modulated by different physiological, toxicological and pharmacological compounds. Upon further electrophysiological characterization and toxicological validation, iPSC-based models can facilitate predictions of neurotoxicity.
In addition, Creative Biolabs provides other various electrophysiological characterization services for different iPSC-derived cell types based on our advanced MEA technology. With years of experience, we are capable of meeting the specific need of each customer with the best project design. If you are interested in our services, please do not hesitate to contact us for more details.
References
For Research Use Only. Not For Clinical Use.
