Semiconductor Chips with Ion Channels, Nerve Cells and Brain

Peter Fromherz
Physica E 16 (2003) 24-34

Abstract

The electrical interfacing of individual nerve cells and semiconductor microstructures is considered, as well as the assembly of neuronal networks and microelectronic circuits. In a first section, the planar core-coat conductor of a neuron-silicon junction is studied as it determines the coupling of ion conducting neurons and electron conducting silicon. The width of the cleft between cell and chip, the resistance of that cleft and voltage-gate ion channels in the junction are investigated. On that basis, a second section describes the electronic interfacing of individual cultured neurons with silicon microstructures as well as the integration of microelectronics with small neuronal networks grown in culture. In a final part, the electronic interfacing of cultured brain slices is addressed. The goal of the approach is an integration of neuronal network dynamics and digital computation on a microscopic level for studies in brain research, biosensorics, information technology and medical prosthetics.