Figure 1.

Schematic (not to scale) showing the chemistry, patterning, and use of neurochips to identify rare nucleotide sequences (aptamers) for use as neurotransmitter recognition elements in novel sensing devices to monitor chemical neurotransmission. (Left) The chemistry of self-assembled alkanethiols on gold substrates is shown. A small percent of these molecules is functionalized with 5-hydroxytryptophan (or other precursors/amino acids) to mimic free serotonin (or other neurotransmitters). (Middle) A neurochip patterned orthogonally via a microfluidics device is shown. This type of neurochip is used to screen large libraries of chemically synthesized nucleic acids to identify aptamer sequences that selectively recognize neurotransmitters. (Right) Aptamers are coupled to nanowire field-effect transistor devices for brain implantation and high-resolution in vivo neurotransmitter sensing.