Multichannel Systems MEA Manual - Manual (Page 9)

MEA Manual
9
3 Microelectrode Arrays (MEAs) — Overview
3.1 Extracellular Recording with Microelectrode Arrays
A microelectrode array (MEA) is an arrangement of typically 60 electrodes allowing the targeting of several
sites in parallel for extracellular recording and stimulation.
Cell lines or primary cell preparations are cultivated directly on the MEA. Freshly prepared slices can be used
for acute recordings, or can be cultivated as organotypic cultures (OTC) on the MEA.
Recorded signals are amplified by a filter amplifier and sent to the data acquisition computer. All MEAs
(except EcoFlex- or FlexMEAs) are only for use with MEA-Systems or USB-MEA-Systems for extracellular
recording from Multi Channel Systems MCS GmbH. FlexMEAs may be used with components of
ME-Systems and USB-ME-Systems from Multi Channel Systems MCS GmbH. EcoFlex- and FlexMEAs are
designed for use in in vitro or in vivo studies. Please see setup manuals “Setup (USB-) MEA-Systems and
(USB-) ME-Systems” for more information.
Several MEA geometries are provided for a wide variety of applications. Almost all excitable or electrogenic
cells and tissues can be used for extracellular recording in vitro, for example, central or peripheral neurons,
cardiac myocytes, whole-heart preparations, or retina.
There are various applications for MEAs in the fields of neurobiology and cardiac electrophysiology.
Typical neurobiological applications are: Ion channel screening, drug testing, safety pharmacology studies,
current source density analysis, paired-pulse facilitation (PPF), long term potentiation (LTP) and depression
(LTD), I / O relationship of evoked responses, circadian rhythm, neuroregeneration, developmental biology,
microencephalograms (EEG), and microelectroretinograms (ERG).
Typical applications in the cardiac field are: Activation and excitation mapping, measuring of the conduction
velocity, longterm characterizations of cell types (especially stem cells), culture pacing, drug testing, safety
pharmacology studies, monitoring of QT-related prolongation and arrhythmias, cocultures and disease /
implantation model.
For more information on published applications or procedures for biological preparations, please see the
application notes on the MCS web site:
http://www.multichannelsystems.com/applications.html