Plasmonic sensing, imaging, and stimulation techniques for neuron studies

• Published in: Biosensors & bioelectronics 2021-06, Vol.182, p.113150-113150, Article 113150
• Main Authors: Ahn, Heesang, Kim, Soojung, Kim, Yoonhee, Kim, Seungchul, Choi, Jong-ryul, Kim, Kyujung
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biosensing Techniques; Neuron; Neurons; Optical Imaging; Optical imaging with plasmonic enhancements; Optical neurostimulation; Optical sensor; Plasmonics; Surface Plasmon Resonance
• ISSN: 0956-5663; 1873-4235
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2021.113150

Studies to understand the structure, functions, and electrophysiological properties of neurons have been conducted at the frontmost end of neuroscience. Such studies have led to the active development of high-performance research tools for exploring the neurobiology at the cellular and molecular level. Following this trend, research and application of plasmonics, which is a technology employed in high-sensitivity optical biosensors and high-resolution imaging, is essential for studying neurons, as plasmonic nanoprobes can be used to stimulate specific areas of cells. In this study, three plasmonic modalities were explored as tools to study neurons and their responses: (1) plasmonic sensing of neuronal activities and neuron-related chemicals; (2) performance-improved optical imaging of neurons using plasmonic enhancements; and (3) plasmonic neuromodulations. Through a detailed investigation of these plasmonic modalities and research subjects that can be combined with them, it was confirmed that plasmonic sensing, imaging, and stimulation techniques have the potential to be effectively employed for the study of neurons and understanding their specific molecular activities. •The paper reviews plasmonic based novel techniques for varied neuron studies.•High-performance plasmonic sensing modalities are explored for neuroscience.•Advanced plasmonic optical imaging techniques are explored for high resolved neuronal cells imaging.•Recent optical neurostimulation techniques using nanostructures are introduced.•Neuron cells viability on varied nanostructures are experimentally investigated.