Detecting Electromagnetic Activity in Cerebral Organoids
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Date
2015-12
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
The development of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) has been an important stepping stone in research on the human brain. Any somatic cell can now be reprogrammed into an iPSC and coaxed into becoming neurons and other brain cells. Eventually, these cells can grow into structures resembling a developing human brain. These so called cerebral organoids have been allowed to mature to ~ 4 millimeters in diameter in vitro and show some signs of embryonic development. While it is possible to sustain these brain organoids for almost ten months, development appears halted at twelve weeks due to lack of a vascular system and other resource issues. Researchers at OSU hypothesize that by using electromagnetic fields maturation of these cerebral organoids can be accelerated and cellular differentiation can be influenced. Furthermore, if cerebral organoids exhibit some properties similar to the developing human brain, it is pertinent to explore whether or not there is any detectable electrical activity. The goal of this research is to develop a method to determine whether or not cerebral organoids exhibit electrical activity and whether there is any similarity to electrical activity in a developing human brain. Two methods are explored, one being a photoelectrochemical intrusive method wherein an electrode punctures the organoid while another rests in the media containing the organoid, and the other a non-contact electromagnetic method capable of detecting magnetic fields arising from neuronal currents. The results from the first photoelectrochemical method of detecting electrical activity is analyzed and investigated further. Ultimately, the aim of this research is to prove that electromagnetic activity is present in the organoid, and that it resembles similar activity in a developing human brain.
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Keywords
Cerebral organoids, Electromagnetic Detection, Photoelectrochemical Effect