Development of a neuronal pressure sensor

Neuronal sensory systems are capable of performing very complex signal proc essing functions. Reconstruction of such sensory systems in vitro should en able whole-cell biological sensors to be generated that possess inherent si gnal processing capabilities. In this paper, the results of preliminary inv estigations to produce a mechanosensory neuronal network are presented. An in vitro network of rat dorsal root ganglion neurons has been produced on a microelectrode plate revealing an interesting rhythmical pattern of sponta neous discharges. This periodic activity has been shown to be disrupted fol lowing the application of a static pressure to the cell culture. These resu lts indicate that neuronal networks represent a practical system that may b e used for the development of intelligent, whole-cell, biological sensors. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.