Collective Chemo-sensing by Neuron Spheroids.

We work with KTAR-1 cells, which are immortalized kisspeptin (Kiss-1) neurons derived from the arcuate nucleus of an adult female mouse. In this study, we employed microfluidic devices to investigate information transfer between neuronal spheroids, focusing on dynamic inter-spheroid communication. In order to give spheroids a defined path to link with one another, we developed micropatterned channels. Calcium dynamics were tracked by inducing a calcium-sensitive dye in the spheroids, with periodic exposure to ATP solutions administered via a flow-switch mechanism. The spheroids' response was observed under fluorescence microscopy, and changes in light intensity were recorded to assess communication between them. Our study so far indicates that ATP-mediated signaling induces significant fluctuations in light intensity, suggesting active information transfer between spheroids. This research provides insights into the mechanisms of neuronal communication and enhances understanding of network interactions and signaling pathways within neural systems.