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Polydimethylsiloxane as a more biocompatible alternative to glass in optogenetics

Andersen, Michael Aagaard LU and Schouenborg, Jens LU (2023) In Scientific Reports 13(1).
Abstract

Optogenetics is highly useful to stimulate or inhibit defined neuronal populations and is often used together with electrophysiological recordings. Due to poor penetration of light in tissue, there is a need for biocompatible wave guides. Glass wave guides are relatively stiff and known to cause glia reaction that likely influence the activity in the remaining neurons. We developed highly flexible micro wave guides for optogenetics that can be used in combination with long-lasting electrophysiological recordings. We designed and evaluated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mono-fibers, which use the tissue as cladding, with a diameter of 71 ± 10 µm and 126 ± 5 µm. We showed that micro PDMS fibers transmitted 9–33 mW/mm2 light energy... (More)

Optogenetics is highly useful to stimulate or inhibit defined neuronal populations and is often used together with electrophysiological recordings. Due to poor penetration of light in tissue, there is a need for biocompatible wave guides. Glass wave guides are relatively stiff and known to cause glia reaction that likely influence the activity in the remaining neurons. We developed highly flexible micro wave guides for optogenetics that can be used in combination with long-lasting electrophysiological recordings. We designed and evaluated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mono-fibers, which use the tissue as cladding, with a diameter of 71 ± 10 µm and 126 ± 5 µm. We showed that micro PDMS fibers transmitted 9–33 mW/mm2 light energy enough to activate channelrhodopsin. This was confirmed in acute extracellular recordings in vivo in which optogenetic stimulation through the PDMS fibers generated action potentials in rat hippocampus with a short onset latency. PDMS fibers had significantly less microglia and astrocytic activation in the zone nearest to the implant as compared to glass. There was no obvious difference in number of adjacent neurons between size matched wave guides. Micro PDMS wave guide demonstrates in vivo functionality and improved biocompatibility as compared to glass. This enables the delivery of light with less tissue damage.

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type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Scientific Reports
volume
13
issue
1
article number
16090
publisher
Nature Publishing Group
external identifiers
  • pmid:37752160
  • scopus:85172338310
ISSN
2045-2322
DOI
10.1038/s41598-023-43297-2
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
b6091299-0a9e-48bb-ae2e-13fbf255ed00
date added to LUP
2023-11-30 15:43:37
date last changed
2024-04-27 18:40:34
@article{b6091299-0a9e-48bb-ae2e-13fbf255ed00,
  abstract     = {{<p>Optogenetics is highly useful to stimulate or inhibit defined neuronal populations and is often used together with electrophysiological recordings. Due to poor penetration of light in tissue, there is a need for biocompatible wave guides. Glass wave guides are relatively stiff and known to cause glia reaction that likely influence the activity in the remaining neurons. We developed highly flexible micro wave guides for optogenetics that can be used in combination with long-lasting electrophysiological recordings. We designed and evaluated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mono-fibers, which use the tissue as cladding, with a diameter of 71 ± 10 µm and 126 ± 5 µm. We showed that micro PDMS fibers transmitted 9–33 mW/mm<sup>2</sup> light energy enough to activate channelrhodopsin. This was confirmed in acute extracellular recordings in vivo in which optogenetic stimulation through the PDMS fibers generated action potentials in rat hippocampus with a short onset latency. PDMS fibers had significantly less microglia and astrocytic activation in the zone nearest to the implant as compared to glass. There was no obvious difference in number of adjacent neurons between size matched wave guides. Micro PDMS wave guide demonstrates in vivo functionality and improved biocompatibility as compared to glass. This enables the delivery of light with less tissue damage.</p>}},
  author       = {{Andersen, Michael Aagaard and Schouenborg, Jens}},
  issn         = {{2045-2322}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  publisher    = {{Nature Publishing Group}},
  series       = {{Scientific Reports}},
  title        = {{Polydimethylsiloxane as a more biocompatible alternative to glass in optogenetics}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43297-2}},
  doi          = {{10.1038/s41598-023-43297-2}},
  volume       = {{13}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}