Patent ID: 8017367

Claim:
A biochip comprising: a single planar array of individually driven exclusively current/voltage delivery microelectrodes, each adapted for connection to a single cell, wherein the location of the array of microelectrodes comprises an array region comprised on an insulating layer mounted on a solid semiconductor substrate; means for electrically connecting said microelectrodes to a switching system, wherein each microelectrode is selectively driven by the switching system through a waveform signal with a programmed shape and timing; a cell culture chamber where cells can be grown and adhere in contact with said array of microelectrodes on a surface formed by said insulating layer containing said array of microelectrodes on said solid substrate; and, two ground reference electrodes integrated in the semiconductor substrate covered with the insulating layer, wherein the ground reference electrodes are in a planar orientation with the array of microelectrodes, and wherein the ground reference electrodes are positioned outside the array region.