Tracking electrical signals in neural tissue

The brain remains one of the most unknown mysteries, with nearly 100 billion neurons within the brain, understanding their interconnectedness and mechanics is not an easy task.  Although, developing tools to study neural cell cultures we are able to identify variations in neurons without having to work within a complex brain, thus making it easier to identify variations due to disease. However, methods that revolve around growing neurons on two dimensions may lead to unnatural differences in electrical signaling. In order to achieve results that simulate neurons in the brain we plan to encapsulate each neuron in a gel microsphere and closely pack the spheres together to control how they grow in three dimensions. We have designed various microfluidic droplet generators that will allow reproducible cellular encapsulation. In an effort to form reliable droplets within our generators we need a surfactant to stabilize an aqueous in oil droplet, and a gel that is suitable for neuronal culture. Achieving these intermediary steps toward successfully encapsulating our neurons will bring us one step closer to studying electrical signals in a way that is consistent with their natural environment within the brain, in turn, allowing us to view an effective model to understand debilitating neurological ailments.