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Novel Devices and Materials for Bioelectronics
Ehlich, Jiří ; Achilleas Savva, Ph.D (oponent) ; Cifra,, Michal (oponent) ; Salyk, Ota (vedoucí práce)
This dissertation represents a synthesis of projects I have been working on in the course of my Ph.D. studies. The projects evolve around a wide range of topics, which is the reason for the broad and general title. Projects described it the thesis involve the development of electronic tools which can be applied to several areas of bioelectronics: The first part of the thesis concerns platforms for the study of unique microorganisms capable of direct electron exchange with electronic devices. This involved design, fabrication, and application of such platforms. The second part of the thesis deals with electrical stimulation; its application to stem cells towards their directed differentiation, and fundamental studies of possibly harmful irreversible faradaic reactions happening in the course of broadly used electrical stimulation protocols applied in clinical practice. All the projects share core, common, theoretical, and practical foundation originating in chemical engineering, electrochemistry, and materials science. A unifying feature playing a major factor and appearing throughout all the projects would be a family of oxygen reduction reactions. Oxygen reduction is a necessary half-cell reaction taking place in the developed device studying electroactive microorganisms. Oxygen reduction and subsequent generation of reactive oxygen species might arguably play a significant role in the direct electrical stimulation of stem cells towards their differentiation. Lastly, oxygen reduction reactions were the main irreversible faradaic reactions we have been observing during standard electrical stimulation protocols. The thesis presents summarized theoretical background necessary to understand presented projects. Goals are defined. Results are introduced as a commented list of published scientific publications. Achieved outcomes are summarized and discussed. Also, a perspective into the future is given. Main results can be summarized as follows. First goal was to develop a platform for electrochemical characterization of electroactive microorganisms. The platform was based on 24 or 96-well Microbial Fuel Cell array. After two design iterations a prototype fulfilling all the intended requirements was developed, tested, and proven to be reliably working. Next, a multi-well platform of interdigitated electrodes was fabricated and used for electrical stimulation of stem cells. Unfortunately, the platform turned out to be unreliable and not working properly which resulted in the failed attempt to differentiate stem cells into a specific type of cells. Lastly, we have examined oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs) on electrodes made of typical materials used for neural stimulation electrodes. Oxygen can be reduced either to water or hydrogen peroxide. Both reactions can significantly reduce the quantity of dissolved oxygen near the electrode, creating hypoxic conditions harmful to neurons. Peroxide, meanwhile, can induce toxic reactions or act as a signaling molecule. We have examined the amount of reduced oxygen and produced peroxide by various stimulation protocols using amperometric sensors and compared electro-catalytic activities of studied materials. Main finding is that typical protocols lead to irreversible ORRs. Some electrode materials induce highly hypoxic conditions, others additionally produce hydrogen peroxide into the mM range.
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