Research

The “artificial nerve cell”

We recently developed an “organic electronic ion pump” to precisely deliver neurostimulatory substances (glutamate (Glu), aspartate, GABA, acetylcholine (ACh)) and cations (H⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ etc). We are currently adding a biosensor function, to generate an autoregulated delivery device. At low concentrations of a neurotransmitter, an electronic circuit is activated, leading to non-convective delivery of another neurostimuli. We are currently establishing this system for neuronal cells in vitro where sensing of Glu leads to delivery of ACh. Agneta Richter-Dahlfors