[2026]_Electrophysiological Recordings from Human Stem cells and Neural Networks

Reliable in vitro models of human cell circuits are essential for studying neuronal development, network function, and disease mechanisms. Microelectrode arrays (MEAs) have become a cornerstone technology for in vitro neuroscience, enabling long-term, non-invasive recording and stimulation of electrically active cells neural cultures with high temporal resolution. Over the past two decades, MEAs have been widely applied to investigate neuronal development, synaptic plasticity, network dynamics,  and disease modelling in dissociated cultures, organotypic slices, and stem-cell–derived neuronal systems.

Duration: 12 months

Location: Laboratories within the Dept. of Microelectronics.

Literature:

[1] A.E.A. Ramírez, D.P. van der Laan, M.B. Shah, L. Wang, E. Zeglio, A. Savva, Advanced Science, e13480, 2025.

[1] Y. Zhang et al., “Rapid single-step induction of functional neurons from human pluripotent stem cells,” Neuron, vol. 78, no. 5, pp. 785–798, Jun. 2013. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2013.05.029

Assignment

1^st part:  Review the literature in the field.

2^nd part: Establish realisable neural cultures derived from iPSCs on MEAs.

3^rd part: Record and analyse action potentials and neural network electrical activity

Requirements

• EE-Microelectronics MSc candidate are welcomed to apply.
• You are an ambitious student looking to tackle major challenges in detecting biosignals.
• You have a proactive attitude.
• You have good communication skills in English.

Interested students should contact Dr. Achilleas Savva (a.savva@tudelft.nl), by including their CV, the list of courses attended, and a motivation letter.

Contact

Last modified: 2026-02-11