Non-invasive action potential recordings using printed electrolyte-gated polymer field-effect transistors

Summary

Scalable and high-throughput platforms to non-invasively record the Action Potentials (APs) of excitable cells are highly demanded to accelerate disease diagnosis and drug discovery. AP recordings are typically achieved with the invasive and low-throughput patch clamp technique. Non-invasive alternatives like planar multielectrode arrays cannot record APs without membrane poration, preventing accurate measurements of disease states and drug effects. Here, we disclose reliable and non-invasive recording of APs with patch clamp-like quality from human stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes using an inkjet-printed polymer semiconductor in an Electrolyte-Gated Field-Effect Transistor configuration. High sensitivity is proven by the detection of drug-induced pro-arrhythmic membrane potential oscillations as early/delayed afterdepolarizations. The higher throughput potential of this platform could significantly enhance disease modelling, drug screening, safety pharmacology and the study of abiotic/biotic interfaces. © 2025. The Author(s).

Authors Kyndiah A, Zemignani GZ, Ronchi C, Tullii G, Khudiakov A, Iachetta G, Chiodini S, Moreddu R, Viola FA, Schwartz PJ, Gomila G, De Angelis F, Sala L, Antognazza MR, Caironi M
Journal Nature communications
Publication Date 2025 Aug 31;16(1):8143
PubMed 40885735
PubMed Central PMC12398533
DOI 10.1038/s41467-025-63484-1

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