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Development of a potassium selective probe for the study of parameters involved in migraine

migraine

Migraine is a condition characterized by severe headaches and nausea; attacks can last for several days. The prevalence of migraine in the western world is around 11 %, combined with the large impact of the condition on the daily life of patients and the fact that the mechanisms behind an attack are still poorly understood makes that migraine is an important condition for further study. A migraine attacks can be triggered by various stimuli like; light, sleep deprivation etc. After which the balance in the brain is disrupted and a cortical spreading depression (CSD) originates. A CSD is a transient wave that spreads thought the brain during which the brain is hyperactive followed by a phase of depolarization.

Spinoza project

The research project is part of cooperation between three research groups that was initiated after the Spinoza award was handed out to Martin Scheffer (university of Wageningen) Michel Ferrari (university Leiden), and Albert van den Berg (university of Twente). They decided to combine their experience in respectively mathematical modeling of critical transition, Migraine research and development of lab on a chip systems. The research project aims to develop tools to measure parameters involved in the onset and spreading CSD

Sketch of an implantable probe for migraine research

and develop models that can describe and predict the mechanisms behind migraine. The BIOS group is responsible in the project for the development of sensors and probes for testing in model mice. Critical points are the fabrication of miniaturized sensors so that with minimal invasive damage parameters can be measured in vivo and the selective functionalization of measurement sites to the parameters of interest.

Assignment

In the research project your task will be the development of a probe for in vivo measurement of extracellular potassium. The project will involve:

-	Surface treatment using nano-patterning tools

-	Selective chemical coating of measurement sites

-	Probe characterization using electrochemical methods like cyclic voltammetry

If you are interested to do either your bachelor or master assignment in this project, or have any questions please contact: