Plug-and-play fiber-optic sensors based on engineered cells for neurochemical monitoring at high specificity in freely moving animals

In vivo detection of neurochemicals, including neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, is critical for both un-derstanding brain mechanisms and diagnosing brain diseases. However, few sensors are competent in moni-toring neurochemical dynamics in vivo at high specificity. Here, we propose the fiber-optic probes based on engineered cells (FOPECs) for plug-and-play, real-time detection of neurochemicals in freely moving animals. Taking advantages of life-evolved neurochemical receptors as key components, the chemical specificity of FOPECs is unprecedented. We demonstrate the applications of FOPECs in real-time monitoring of neurochemical dynamics under various physiology and pathology conditions. With no requirement of viral infection in advance and no dependence on animal species, FOPECs can be widely adopted in vertebrates, such as mice, rats, rabbits, and chickens. Moreover, FOPECs can be used to monitor drug metabolisms in vivo. We demonstrated the neu-rochemical monitoring in blood circulation systems in vivo. We expect that FOPECs will benefit not only neuro-science study but also drug discovery.

Automated summary

In vivo detection of neurochemicals is crucial for understanding brain mechanisms and diagnosing brain diseases. However, current sensors lack high specificity for real-time monitoring. In this study, fiber-optic probes based on engineered cells (FOPECs) were developed for plug-and-play, real-time detection of neurochemicals in freely moving animals. FOPECs demonstrated unprecedented chemical specificity and could be widely used in vertebrates without viral infection. They also showed potential for monitoring drug metabolisms in vivo.