B-Purchase Description.pdf

Version 11-30-2016-1 FAR Part 11—Describing Agency Needs

PURCHASE DESCRIPTION

1. Statement of Need and Purpose: The National Institue on Aging (NIA) requires a state-of-the-art high-resolution microelectrode array platform for functional imaging/electrophysiology in in-vitro and ex-vivo models including 3D organoids. NIA intends to use this technology to interrogate brain connectivity changes during aging using neuronal co-cultures, 3D organoids etc.

2. Background Information and Objective: The Functional Epigenomics Unit is interested to understand epigenetic, transcriptomic, and functional changes that occur during brain aging. NIA performed a systematic spatial transcriptomic profiling of young, middle-aged, and old mouse brains and found extensive inflammatory changes in white matter fiber tracts. NIA thus predicts that during aging, there will be changes to brain connectivity. The BioCAM platform with the 3D module will map these connectivity changes in neuronal cultures and 3D organoid models that mimic aging. The accompanying software includes a variety of analysis tools for detection of single-cell spikes as well as local field potentials up to sophisticated algorithms and AI-powered tools. Together, this platform will allow to measure in great detail connectivity dysfunctions in the aging brain with and without intervention testing. It can also be applied to other tissues.

3. Generic Name of Product: High-resolution platform for in-vitro electrophysiological imaging with high-density microelectrode array.

4. Purchase Description: Model and type: BioCAM DupleX Platform with 3D module and consumables

5. Salient characteristics The required item must include the following characteristics:

• Record electrical currents simultaneously from 4096 electrodes

• Have a small footprint and can be placed on any lab bench and works without additional equipment such as Faraday cages or anti-vibration tables

• Complex electrophysiological traces that can then be converted into microscopy-like, easy-to-understand, fast-to-process functional images.

• The platform shall use a metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-based HD-MEA

(high-density microelectrode array) as a reusable consumable

• Capable of being upgraded with a 3D module, allowing to read out Accura HD-

MEAs that feature 4096 3D electrodes. The Accura 3D HD-MEAs shall offer distinct advantages for recording from 3D models such as brain slices or brain organoids. The 4096 micro-needles penetrate the tissue and allow recordings from the inner cell layers, strongly improving signal quantity as well as quality.

During drug applications, the 3D electrodes shall anchor the tissue on the chip, Version 11-30-2016-1 FAR Part 11—Describing Agency Needs preventing displacement and enabling the same cells to be followed throughout the entire experiment. Additionally, 3D HDMEAs feature microfluidic channels that allow free nutrient and oxygen flow from below, increasing cell viability and ensuring efficient compound delivery.

The required system shall also come with compatible software that offers a variety of analysis tools from detection of single-cell spikes as well as local field potentials up to sophisticated algorithms and AI-powered tools.

6. Quantity: BioCAM DupleX Platform – 1 BioCAM DupleX, 3D Module – 1 BrainWave Algo, Perpetual Limited License – 1 HD-MEA Accura-3D – 5 Slice Anchor – 1 Mini-Incubator for BioCAM DupleX – 1 Set of 10 Membranes for HD-MEA Caps – 1 HD-MEA Cap with FEP Membrane – 2

7. Delivery Date: Within 60 days ARO