Proof-of-Concept Development of a Bioelectric Biosensor Using Arduino for Monitoring Dopaminergic Response in Neuroblastoma Cells

This study presents the proof-of-concept design and preliminary implementation of a bioelectric biosensor based on an Arduino platform for real-time monitoring of gel-immobilized N2a neuroblastoma cells using dopamine as a model neurotransmitter. The sensor operates on the principle of bioelectric recognition assay (BERA), and uses a two-electrode set-up as a simple, cost-efficient way to capture electrophysiological responses following dopamine exposure, while at the same time mimicking the in vivo cellular environment. Cellular ohmic resistance was assessed under increasing dopamine concentrations and temperatures (24 °C and 37 °C). The results showed that temperature significantly affected cell responses to increasing dopamine concentrations, possibly because of differences in dopamine diffusion in gel, which may in turn have affected membrane polarization and overall cell electric resistance. Pending further testing against a wider range of dopamine concentrations along with various dopamine agonists/antagonists, as well as optimization in terms of specificity, selectivity, and sensitivity, the biosensor could be applied in bioscreening and neuropharmacological studies in a user-friendly, scalable way.