Neural Function

Opening new pathways in neuroscience research

Recording and analyzing the electrical impulses, or action potentials, of neurons with electrophysiology measurement tools reveals how patterns of neural activity differ in health and disease, and inform the development of disease models, cell lines, and therapeutics.

But electrophysiology doesn’t tell the whole story – neural activity is intertwined with changes in cell morphology, culture health, and other factors. Pixel is the only tool available that captures functional and structural information simultaneously in vitro on the same set of cells. Combined with its unmatched throughput and resolution, Pixel unlocks new application areas for neuroscience research and drug discovery.

Neural insights powered by microchips

Pixel’s semiconductor-to-live-cell-interface enables measurement of electrophysiological and morphological data in a single assay. Microchips at the bottom of each well in a Pixel plate provide flexible electrode configuration, allowing electrodes to function as either electrophysiological recording or impedance measurement channels. This lets you capture electrical, functional, and morphological data on the same cells.

“More than 1 billion people live with neurological disorders — functional insights are key to new therapies.”

World Health Organization (WHO), Neurological Disorders: Public Health Challenges (2006)

Investigate neuron function and structure in one multiplexed assay

Track development of neuronal networks in human iPSC-derived neurons

As neurons mature, they form complex communication networks that produce unique patterns in electrophysiological activity. Pixel lets you visualize these changes in activity throughout culture development – from the very beginnings of neural activity and on, across days or weeks. To learn more, read our technical note.

Changes in neural activity and network bursting patterns in culture of human iPSC-derived neurons.

Monitor viability and health of neuronal cell cultures over time

Impedance measurements complement electrophysiology, enabling simultaneous monitoring of culture viability and health. Pixel’s electrical imaging measures over 20 functional and morphological parameters during the course of a single experiment, allowing you to correlate neuron structure, behavior, and electrical activity in one streamlined assay.

Video shows human glutamatergic-enriched neurons from FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics maturing, with changes in neural activity on the left and cell culture dynamics on the right.

Combine high-throughput screening with rich spatial information

Traditional modes of single-neuron electrophysiology like patch-clamp are laborious, destructive, and low-throughput, and techniques that can be scaled for screening applications provide limited spatial information. Pixel enables high-resolution, non-invasive monitoring of neural cell cultures in standard 96- or 384-well Pixel plates. Analyze a single plate on Pixel Primo or up to 8 at a time with Pixel Octo.