The nature of my summer project entails a significant focus on preparation, as ensuring the smooth progression of subsequent weeks is of utmost importance. Cultivating cells on electrodes embedded in glass presents a challenging task, as neurons typically struggle to thrive outside their aqueous and nutrient-rich environment in the hippocampus. Consequently, my efforts in the initial week were primarily dedicated to preparing the microelectrode arrays (MEAs) for cell plating and assisting in the dissection process.

To enhance the affinity of neurons to the MEAs, a hydrophilic surface was established by immersing them in water. Since neurons generally exhibit resistance to glass adhesion, we applied a coating of two types of adhesion molecules, namely PDL and laminin, to the surface of the MEAs. Subsequently, we allowed the MEAs to soak in cell plating media for an additional day while conducting the dissection process, after which embryonic mice hippocampi were dissected and dissociated using trypsin. The resulting cell population was subjected to ten triterations utilizing a flame-treated pipette tip, yielding viable cells. These cells were then plated onto the MEAs, and we now await the outcome in the upcoming week to determine their survival.

The forthcoming week's plans heavily rely on the viability of the cells. Should the cells successfully survive, our next steps will involve seeking signals through an amplifier and potentially introducing modulation with nicotine. Conversely, if the cells do not survive, we will prepare additional MEAs for dissection and replicate the procedures undertaken in the previous week.