“Graphene-based microfluidic perforated microelectrode arrays for retinal electrophysiological studies” published in Lab on a Chip, selected as VINSE Spotlight Publication
Alberto Esteban Linares received his Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Vanderbilt University in 2023, under the supervision of Prof. Deyu Li, with a focus on creating microfluidic devices for retina electrophysiology studies. Currently, he is a post-doctoral scholar in the Biomedical Microsystems Laboratory, University of Southern California, where he develops flexible implantable microelectrodes for recording and stimulating the central and peripheral nervous system.
In a recent publication in Lab on a Chip, co-authored with fellow Ph.D. graduate Xiaosi Zhang, they report on the development of graphene-based microfluidic perforated microelectrode arrays (μpMEAs), which provides a tissue electrophysiology platform with new functionalities. This device integrates transparent graphene electrodes with local medium delivery capabilities, allowing for precise control over the chemical microenvironment during electrical recording of the neuronal tissue activity. The authors showcase the device’s potential by measuring retinal ganglion cell responses to localized high K+ stimulation. Additionally, μpMEAs are compatible with high-resolution confocal imaging of retinal tissue atop graphene electrodes, facilitating identification of neuronal processes responsible for the detected signals. This platform holds promise for addressing fundamental questions in neuronal circuity studies.