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Direct investigation of charge transfer in neurons by electrostatic force microscopy

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Weidong Zhao, Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • ,
  • Wei Cui, Ningbo University
  • ,
  • Shujun Xu, Ningbo University
  • ,
  • Yuanyuan Wang, Ningbo University
  • ,
  • Ke Zhang, Ningbo University
  • ,
  • Deyu Wang, Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • ,
  • Ling-Zhi Cheong, Ningbo University
  • ,
  • Flemming Besenbacher
  • Cai Shen, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Charge transfer plays fundamental roles in information transmission in cells, especially in neurons. To date, direct observation of charge propagation in neurons at nanometer level has not been achieved yet. Herein, a combined charge injection and Electrostatic Force Microscopy (EFM) detection approach is applied to directly study charge propagation and distribution at nanometer resolution in spines and synapses of hippocampal neurons. Charge density, charge mobility and membrane potential in neural signal transmission process through the spines of axons and dendrites of hippocampal neurons were investigated quantitatively. Postsynaptic densities (PSD) in spines of axons and dendrites were revealed and studied. The methods and results from present work provide insights into physiological activities and processes related with electrical properties in nervous system and other biological samples.

Original languageEnglish
JournalUltramicroscopy
Volume196
Pages (from-to)24-32
Number of pages9
ISSN0304-3991
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2019

    Research areas

  • Charge transfer, Electrostatic force microscopy, Hippocampal neurons, Postsynaptic density, POLARIZATION PROPERTIES, MEMBRANE, GABA, MITOCHONDRIA, TRANSPORT, SYNAPSES, RECEPTOR

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