Apart from the high-throughput systems, microfluidic chambers allowing compartment-specific manipulation provide valuable tools to study neuronal and in particular, axonal function. Geometrical limitations of PDMS-based culture platforms have made it challenging to combine conventional microelectrode-based patch clamp recording with microfluidic control of neuronal connectivity. Recently, a simple modular, three-layer PDMS chamber was developed for controlling neuronal connectivity and asymmetric viral transduction while also allowing whole cell patch clamp recording [16]. Together with optogenetic stimulation of the presynaptic neurons, this system allows effortless recording of single synapse activity, with the possibility for selective experimental manipulation of fluidically isolated neuron populations.
