How Multi Channel Systems Offers a Complete MEA Solution, from the Cellular Network to the Behaving Animal

Founded nearly 30 years ago, Multi Channel Systems (MCS) is a pioneer in the development of commercially available microelectrode arrays (MEA) and their recording systems. MEAs have proven valuable for our understanding of how genetic background, disease pathology, and drugs alter neuronal network activity.

Founded nearly 30 years ago, Multi Channel Systems (MCS) is a pioneer in the development of commercially available microelectrode arrays (MEA) and their recording systems.  MEAs have proven valuable for our understanding of how genetic background, disease pathology, and drugs alter neuronal network activity.  

In the field of cardiology, MEAs are helping us understand signal propagation and arrythmias in the heart, and they’re increasingly finding a place in screening drugs for toxicity and in safety pharmacology. And with the advent of Mesh MEA, multielectrode array technology now offers the ability to generate true-to-life recordings from inside an organoid for the first time ever, without impacting its morphology.

 

What types of MEA systems exist?

Multi Channel Systems’ current generation of MEA recording systems is diverse and comprised of the modular 2100 amplifier suite.

At the core is a common data acquisition or interface board (IFB) that can receive signals from both in vivo and in vitro MEA headstages at sampling frequencies up to 50 kHz. The IFB contains an integrated digital signal processor (DSP) for real-time signal detection and feedback, allowing for closed-loop experiments. The DSP can also be freely programmed allowing user control of the hardware. This functionality is important for investigating mechanisms of learning and behavior and for modeling artificial intelligence.

For in vivo studies, MCS offers both wireless (W2100) and tethered (ME2100) recording solutions for studying freely moving or anesthetized animals.  Electrical and optical stimulation can easily be integrated into both of these systems.  With wireless headstages signals are digitized on the headstage to minimize signal loss to the receiver.  Importantly, with the W2100 and ME2100 up to 8 animals can be recording simultaneously with a single data acquisition IFB, allowing for scale-up of your experiments at lower additional cost.  

The hallmark of our in vitro family are the single-well systems with 60 (MEA2100-Mini-60), 120 (MEA2100-Mini-120), or 256 (MEA2100-256) electrodes. Like the in vivo systems up to 8 Mini headstages can be recorded from simultaneously from the IFB, or two MEA2100-256 headstages can be used at once.  These systems are versatile in their ability to record from cell cultures, organoids, tissue slices, and explants. Each metal electrode can be used for recording and stimulation and is under complete user control.

Array formats for cells, slices, and organoids

A wide variety of array formats are offered to best suit your research needs. These include 3D arrays for slices and organoids, perforated arrays for better adherence to slices/explants, and our soon-to-be released Mesh MEAs for organoids. These Mesh MEAs will allow long-term electrical recordings from the inside of organoids, which has not been possible before.

Additional specialized in vitro headstages are available.  For higher throughput needs we have the Multiwell-MEA system with 24- and 96-well plate formats.  The Multiwell headstage can be integrated into the MEA Xpress liquid handler for preparing serial dilutions in your compound plates and then applying the compounds during experiments. 

For applications requiring high spatial resolution, the CMOS-MEA5000 features CMOS-based arrays that simultaneously record signals from 4225 sensors and allow for stimulation from an additional 1024 sites. 
Finally, unique among MEA systems is the MEA2100-Beta-Screen system, which aids in the study of acutely isolated islets of Langerhans from the pancreas.

Whether you’re studying cells in culture, organoids, tissue slices, whole tissue, or behaving animals, an MEA solution that meets your current needs and grows with your research is available.