Transduction of Intracellular Action Potentials in Cardiomyocytes with Printed Electrolyte-Gated Polymer Transistors

Non-invasive and high-throughput recording of intracellular action potentials (APs) in electrogenic cells is in high demand. In fact, APs of excitable cells like cardiac cells, skeletal muscle cells and neurons provide crucial information on cells physiology. Most of available electronic tools to probe APs are either invasive or require complex manufacturing processes. Achieving a high-fidelity recording with arrays of transducers fabricated with scalable technologies is particular appealing. Here I will report on the possibility of recording intracellular APs of human induced pluripotent stem cells derived cardiomyocytes with solution processed planar Electrolyte Gated Field-Effect Transistors (EGFETs) based on inkjet printed polymers. Remarkably, despite the planar geometry of the device, we could demonstrate the spontaneous recording of intracellular APs, i.e. without requiring poration procedures, with recorded signals of patch-clamp like quality. The simplicity of the device combined with the high signal to noise ratio opens up new opportunities for low-cost, reliable, and flexible printed biosensors arrays allowing to boost drug discovery, cardiology and eventually neuroscience.