Abstract
This paper presents a novel biothermal sensor to probe cell viability and concentration of a cell suspension. The sensing technique exploits the thermophysical properties of the suspension, so no labeling of suspended cells is required. When the sensor is periodically heated, the amplitude and phase of the thermal signal are dependent on the thermal properties of the cell suspension, particularly the thermal conductivity k. We measured k of HeLa, hepatocyte, and NIH-3T3 J2 cell suspensions with various concentrations and viabilities. The results demonstrate that the k of a cell suspension has a strong correlation with its concentration and viability. Accordingly, k can be employed as an index of cell concentration and viability. Furthermore, without data processing to obtain k, the electric signal that reflects the thermal response of the sensor can be used as a tool to probe viability of a cell suspension in real time. The proposed thermal sensing technique offers label-free, non-invasive, long-term, and real-time means to probe the viability and concentration of cells in a suspension.
Highlights
In cell culture study and cell response analysis, the importance of monitoring and controlling cell quality is indisputable.[1]
The results demonstrate that the k of a cell suspension has a strong correlation with its concentration and viability
We suppose that the k variation is largely due to compositional changes that lead to an increased fraction of low-k substances in the solution
Summary
In cell culture study and cell response analysis, the importance of monitoring and controlling cell quality is indisputable.[1]. Trypan blue (C34H28N6O14S4) is a diazo dye that selectively passes through the plasma membranes of dead cells, so dead cells appear blue under an optical microscope.[8] Dye-based methods have the drawback that the dye may influence cellular activity, so the sample cannot be further tested or used. These methods have other disadvantages including photobleaching, low signal-to-noise ratio, and complex procedures.[9] label-free, real-time, long-term and non-invasive cell viability probing techniques are desirable.
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