Overview

• Linköping University has developed a 2 µm iontronic micropipette capable of delivering specific ions to individual neurons without disrupting the extracellular environment.
• Preliminary studies in mouse hippocampal slices revealed astrocytes respond dynamically to local ion changes before neurons, reshaping understanding of glial-neuron interactions.
• The micropipette uses an ion-exchange membrane and retains compatibility with traditional neuroscience tools, facilitating widespread adoption.
• This technology opens new avenues for studying glial cells, which are unresponsive to electrical stimulation, and their critical role in brain function.
• Researchers are now expanding studies to diseased tissues and exploring applications for ultra-precise drug delivery in neurological disorders like epilepsy.