Thesis defense Guarang Khot (Donders series 535)

23 February 2022

Promotors: Prof. Tansu Celikel, Prof. Neil Shirtcliffe

Chemical Imaging of Neuronal Communication
Electrochemistry is an attractive method for monitoring redox states of molecules in real time. The method is fast, sensitive and robust, which is being exploited as a preclinical platform by neurochemists for monitoring real time release of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in the brain. The integration of microelectrodes with electrochemical workbench is of particular importance because microelectrodes can fit into tight biological matrices in the brain, thus reducing tissue damage at the site of implantation. Considerable challenges exist in development of electrochemical microelectrodes for detection of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators such as dopamine, serotonin and adrenaline in the brain. In this work we focus on development of carbon electrodes that are coated with carbon nanotubes that are able to perform label free detection of dopamine, serotonin and adrenaline. To verify our experimental results, we build insilico model of dopamine and carbon allotropes for understanding dopamine binding to surfaces using Density Function Theory(DFT). These microelectrodes have a potential promise for in vivo and in vitro studies