Brain chip combines microfluidics and electrodes

Researchers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) have micromachined a multi-functional brain chip with microelectrodes for recording electrical activity, microfluidic channels for sampling extracellular fluid, and a microfluidic interface chip for multiple drug delivery and sample isolation.

The cerebrospinal fluid, which is tested for neurotrasmitters, is extracted at a low pressure to minimise channel blockages from prolonged use.

It has been tested on mice.

“The brain chip is small, yet it can perform various functions simultaneously,” said project leaser Il-Joo Cho. “It will be useful in minimising brain damage and studying the cause and treatment for brain diseases.”