A versatile, accurate, low-cost and open-source electrophysiology solution for in-vitro neuronal cultures

We present a versatile, accurate, and low-cost in-vitro electrophysiology solution based on open-source electronics, fully customizable recording platforms, and in-house micro-electrode arrays (MEAs) substrates. The recording platform is made of standard inexpensive materials and can accommodated a variety of MEAs configurations entailing up to 512 recording channels. Built-in modularity allows for the seamless integration of add-on modules such as electrical/optical stimulation devices, as well as on-board sensors and fluidic interfaces. MEAs fabrication relies on maskless photolithography, greatly favoring rapid prototyping, here demonstrated in a variety of patterns involving different electrode densities, diameters, and spatial topologies. Through a native open-source data acquisition terminal and analysis software, we demonstrate the functionalities of our system across a range of neuronal cultures, from embryonic stem cell-derived neurons and primary brain cells to organotypic brain slices. This approach significantly lowers barrier entry to electrophysiology studies via ten-fold cost reductions, while providing a flexible hardware solution that can be widely deployed.