ALI™ MEA
ALI MEA™: Air-Liquid Interface Multielectrode Array for Complex Organoid Maintenance
Culture Organoids as they live. Record from them as they grow.
As organoid models become increasingly complex, researchers need tools that support long-term culture while still providing reliable access to electrophysiological data. ALI MEA™ combines air-liquid interface (ALI) culture, integrated perfusion, and an innovative organoid handling workflow into a single platform designed to help maintain healthy cultures while simplifying preparation, handling, and recording.
Compatible with the MEA2100-Mini system, ALI MEA enables researchers to culture organoids and tissue slices directly on the recording device, monitor their development over time, and repeatedly assess functional activity without the need for complex custom-built systems.
Key Benefits
- Supports long-term maintenance of organoids, assembloids, and tissue slices
- Air-liquid interface culture improves oxygen access to complex tissues
- Integrated perfusion technology supports nutrient delivery and media exchange
- Enables repeated electrophysiological assessment over weeks or months
- Innovative "confetti" membrane workflow simplifies organoid handling and positioning
- Compatible with pharmacology and drug discovery applications
Air-Liquid Interface Culture: Healthy Organoids and Tissue Samples for Long-Term Studies
By exposing organoids to both culture medium and atmospheric oxygen, air-liquid interface culture can support organoid maintenance and viability during extended experiments.
- Supports organoid maintenance during long-term studies
- Improves oxygen access to complex organoid tissues
- Enables long-term culture of organoid slices
- Facilitates growth and interaction of assembloid models
- Supports repeated functional assessment over weeks or months
- Simplifies positioning and centering of organoids on the recording area
Integrated Perfusion Technology: Built-In Fluidics for Reliable Culture and Pharmacology
ALI MEA incorporates a perfusion channel directly into the device, providing a convenient method for nutrient delivery, media exchange, and pharmacological experimentation.
- Delivers nutrients continuously
- Complements air-liquid interface culture conditions
- Enables more controlled pharmacological studies
- Reduces media exchange frequency
- Conserves valuable media and test compounds through smaller working volumes
- Eliminates the need for custom perfusion solutions
- Streamlines experimental setup and operation
The Confetti Approach: Handle the Membrane, Not the Organoid
ALI MEA utilizes precut porous membrane patches, known as "confetti," that serve as a carrier for organoids and tissue samples. Rather than manipulating delicate organoids directly, researchers handle the membrane itself, helping protect samples during preparation while improving positioning accuracy and workflow efficiency.
This approach is particularly valuable for researchers working with large numbers of organoids or performing routine functional quality-control assessments prior to experimentation.
- Improved organoid handling and maintenance
- Reduced risk of damage during placement and setup
- Faster quality-control workflows
- Easier assessment of organoid viability and functionality
- Precise positioning on the recording area
- Multiple placement options for experimental flexibility
- Significant time savings when preparing large numbers of organoids
Applications
ALI MEA is ideal for:
- Brain organoids
- Cardiac organoids
- Neurospheres
- Assembloids
- Organoid slices
- Tissue slices
- Organoid quality-control workflows
- Pharmacology and drug discovery
- Long-term electrophysiological studies
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of recording electrodes | 59 |
| Reference electrode | 1 crosswise reference |
| Electrode layout | 8 × 8 grid, 200 µm pitch |
| Electrode diameter | 30 µm |
| Electrode material | Platinum with Black Platinum coating |
| Electrode impedance | Typically <150 kΩ |
| Fluidic volume | 350 µL |
| Fluidic connectors | Standard female Luer-lock |
| Polyimide membrane thickness | 8 µm |
| Membrane pore size | 7.5 µm |
| Membrane porosity | 10% |
| Temperature compatibility | 11–40 °C |
| Dimensions | 49 mm × 49 mm × 2.5 mm |
Compatible Systems
ALI MEA is compatible with the MEA2100-Mini system. It can be used with a standard perfusion equipment utilizing male Luer connectors, though we recommend the Multi Channel Systems Perfusion Kit.
Ready to Learn More?
Contact the Multi Channel Systems team or schedule a meeting to discuss how ALI MEA can support your organoid research workflow.