Multielectrode culture chamber: a device for long-term recording of bioelectric activities in vitro.

A multi-microelectrode culture chamber system was constructed for monitoring simultaneously morphological and electrophysiological development of neural cells in vitro. The setup consisted of a pattern of gold conductor lines evaporated onto a glass substrate and insulated with polyamide. The width of each electrode was 10 microns, and the distance between the electrodes was 60 microns. The electrode patterns were constructed and the uncovering of the electrode tips were carried out by photo-etching. This system allowed us to record spontaneous activities in both explant- and primary monolayer cultures of either rat or mouse spinal cords and forebrains, during neuronal regeneration and maturation.