Laser & Optoelectronics Progress, Volume. 62, Issue 18, 1817002(2025)

Applications of Optoelectronic Integrated Lab-on-Chip in Neuroscience (Invited)

Zhiyuan Liu1, Menghan Li2, Junxiu Ye3, Xiaoyu Yang1, Haonan Zhang1, Qing Yang1、*, and Xu Liu1、**
Author Affiliations
  • 1College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, Zhejiang , China
  • 2Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang , China
  • 3College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang , China
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    Figures & Tables(13)
    Construction and applications of optoelectronic integrated lab-on-chip[10,14-15,19-20]
    Basic principles of on-chip super-resolution microscopy techniques. (a) Schematic diagram of imaging principle and device for Fourier ptychographic microscopy[41]; (b) schematic diagram of structured light illumination technology imaging principle[42]; (c) frequency domain detection range of the spatial spectrum translation method[18]
    Progress of fluorescent (labeled) on-chip super-resolution microscopy techniques. (a) cSIM model and experimental results[43]; (b) optimized cSIM model[44]; (c) intensity fluctuation-based super-resolution microscopy imaging result using a photonic chip[45]; (d) polymer waveguide chip model and experimental results[46]
    Progress of compatible labeled and label-free on-chip super-resolution microscopy techniques. (a) Principle and imaging results of NWRIM[21]; (b) principle and imaging results of polymer fluorescence thin film photonic chip[26]; (c) schematic diagram and results of TVSFS super-resolution imaging[27]
    Characterization of neurons and their subcellular structures by on-chip super/high-resolution microscopy techniques. (a) Directions of microtubules at different locations of the neurons by motor-point accumulation for imaging in nanoscale topography (PAINT) (scale bar is 1 μm)[38]; (b) long-term imaging results of dendritic spines in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons by two-photon STED, from left to right is result in day 0, day 2, and day 4, respectively (scale bar is 500 nm)[47]; (c) SIM imaging results of the endoplasmic reticulum in hippocampal neurons (scale bar is 20 μm)[48]; (d) platinum replica electron microscopy imaging results combined correlative light and electron microscopy and STORM (from left to right, the scale bar is 2.0, 1.0, 0.2 μm, respectively)[49]
    Progress of MEA technologies. (a) Photographs of ITO/TiN meterials; (b) design of the first G-MEAs[54]; (c) microelectrode and wiring design of G-MEAs (scale bar is 100 µm)[55]
    Development of microfluidic technology in neuroscience. (a) Schematic diagram of the manufacturing process for neuronal chambers in microfluidics[72]; (b) schematic diagram of the microfluidic and MEA designs, and neuronal growth results[73]
    Researches of growth-differentiation-maturation of the nervous system. (a) Schematic diagram of lab-on-chip, and differentiation and maturation of induced neural stem cells-derived neural cells in the microfluidic electrode array chip[10]; (b) neurite growth in PC12 cells induced by NGF, bFGF, and cAMP[75]
    Researches of optoelectronic stimulation for neurodegenerative diseases. (a) Neural circuit light stimulation new multimodal platform and separation results of neuronal cell body and axon[19]; (b) experimental results of lab-on-chip combining 4D-SIM with G-MEAs[14]; (c) system and neuronal imaging results under wide field[56]
    Functional researches of neural networks. (a) Construction of the neural network in the system[15]; (b) recording of the neural network constructed on the chip at subcellular resolution[76]
    Future development directions of optoelectronic integrated lab-on-chip[77-79]
    • Table 1. Neuronal substructures and their spatial scales and phenomenal representations

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      Table 1. Neuronal substructures and their spatial scales and phenomenal representations

      Neuronal substructureSpatial scale /nmPhenomenal representation
      Cell cytoskeletonMicrotubule20‒30Quantitative structural layout of neuron cytoskeleton
      Neurofilament10
      Actin filament5‒10
      Endoplasmic reticulumRough endoplasmic reticulum100‒500Quantitative structural changes of the endoplasmic reticulum
      Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
      SynapsePresynaptic (synaptic vesicle)40‒50Synaptic signal transmission and plasticity recording; structural changes in LTP of synapses
      Synaptic cleft20‒30
      Postsynaptic (dendritic spine)100‒500
    • Table 2. Microfluidic chip for neuronal cell reprogramming and differentiation

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      Table 2. Microfluidic chip for neuronal cell reprogramming and differentiation

      ApplicationCell typeMicrofluidic chip
      ReprogrammingHuman somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)Three-layer microfluidic platform[64]
      Primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts to induced neuronal cellsMicrofluidic platform for 3D hydrogel culture[65]
      DifferentiationImmortalized murine neuronal progenitor cells C17.2Microfluidic platform to deliver controlled amounts of culture media to cells[66]
      Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs)Gradient-generating microfluidic platform[67]
      Human neuroepithelial stem cells to dopaminergic neuronsPhase-guided, 3D microfluidic cell-culture bioreactor with two perfusion lanes and one culture lane[68]
      Human neuronal stem cells (hNSCs) to astrocytesGradient-generating microfluidic platform[69]
      hNSC-derived neuronal progenitor cells to mature neuronsGradient-generating microfluidic platform[70]
      Fetal brain-derived neuronal stem cells3D hydrogel[71]
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    Zhiyuan Liu, Menghan Li, Junxiu Ye, Xiaoyu Yang, Haonan Zhang, Qing Yang, Xu Liu. Applications of Optoelectronic Integrated Lab-on-Chip in Neuroscience (Invited)[J]. Laser & Optoelectronics Progress, 2025, 62(18): 1817002

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    Paper Information

    Category: Medical Optics and Biotechnology

    Received: Jul. 31, 2025

    Accepted: Aug. 21, 2025

    Published Online: Sep. 15, 2025

    The Author Email: Qing Yang (qingyang@zju.edu.cn), Xu Liu (liuxu@zju.edu.cn)

    DOI:10.3788/LOP251791

    CSTR:32186.14.LOP251791

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