In the last decade, a number of laboratories have developed devices that combine electronic components with living cells, including neurons. These devices can be used as cell-based biosensors or labs-on-a-chip for testing of the tumor cell sensitivity to anticancer drugs, detection of toxins and chemical substances and pre-clinical evaluation of new drugs. Here we review briefly the existing types of the cell-based biosensors and the strategies employed to improve these complex devices. We argue that, for the neuron-based biosensors, introduction of structure in the connections of the synaptic network should significantly improve the utility of such devices.
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