Cell-based biosensors

Early Enzyme-Based and Cell-Based Biosensors... 

Pancrazio J.J. (Ed.) Special Issue Cell-based Biosensors, Biosens. Bioelectron. 2001 16 427-608. 

Zhao, J., Jedlicka, S. S., Larmu, J. D., Bhunia, A. K., and Rickus, J. L. (2006). Liposome-doped nanocomposites as artificial cell-based biosensors Detection of listeriolysin O. Biotechnol. Prog. 22,32-37. 

Ziegler, C. (2000). Cell-based biosensors. Fresenius J. Anal. Chem. 366, 552-559. 

Use of microorganisms and plant and animal tissues as a biological component of biosensor are also described in the literature (9, 10). The principle is based on the use of the natural bio-reactive systems. They have several advantages over the isolated enzymes and receptors. Isolation of enzymes and receptors are often required to increase the response time. Enzymes and receptors retained in the cells are more stable and have longer lifetimes. Cell-based biosensors are also economical as no purification step is required. 

In recent years, the unicellular nature of planktonic algae has been exploited for the construction of whole-cell based biosensors capable of real-time response on critical change of the aquatic ecosystems caused by pollutant emissions. Most of the proposed devices are based on the electrochemical detection of the inhibiting effect on the photosynthetic activity of algae and cyanobacteria exerted by some toxicants. 

The first generation of instruments is likely to include devices for sorting and selecting cells, devices for accurately positioning one or more cells in a mixture and cell based biosensors with long shelf lives. New measurement techniques at the single cell level and new ways of probing cell-cell interactions will open up possibilities in basic research. 

The first practical applications are likely to include field cages for cell positioning, inexpensive cell sorters and single cell cultivation depots. But once the basic elements for cell handling have been developed, very many kinds of device will become easy to produce. We can expect to see new systems for use in medical diagnosis and pharmaceutical testing within the next decade and a range of cell based biosensors. 

J. Racek, Cell-based Biosensors (Technomatic Publishing, Lancaster PA, 1995). 

Notingher I (2007) Raman spectroscopy cell-based biosensors. Sensors 7 1343-1358... 

Cell-based biosensors have comparable response characteristics to enzyme electrodes, but offer several advantageous features. ... 

Corcoran, C.A. Rechnitz, G.A. Cell-based biosensors. Trends Biotechnol. 1985, 5, 92-96. 

Cell-Based Biosensors with Electrically Excitable Cells 713... 

Some General Considerations for Using Cell-Based Biosensors 716... 

In this chapter we introduce various techniques for fabricating miniature cell culture devices and cell-based biosensors, provide examples of human and animal cells immobilized on the chip devices, and explain different approaches to pattern multiple types of cells on one device. The application of nano and micro techniques in precise control over the cellular microenvironment is discussed. Selective cell-based biosensors are described later in the chapter. Finally, we conclude that these novel cell culture systems, coupled with predictions from in silico mathematical modeling, can potentially improve predictions of human clinical responses and enable better understanding of toxicological mechanisms. 

Neuron cells Neuron cells are generally electrically excitable, and their electrophysiological property changes upon physical and chemical stimulation. For this reason neuron cells are widely used as the sensing element in cell-based biosensors [42], Primary rat pup astrocytes are also used in co-culture with endothelial cells for the in vitro mimic of blood-brain barrier (BBB) [43],... 

Muscle cells Myocytes are electrically excitable and are popular in cell-based biosensors [44]. Primary myocytes isolated from adult or neonatal rat hearts have been used to study the effect of microtopography on cell functions [45], Murine skeletal muscle cells have been patterned in line... 

An increasing number of studies of cell-based biosensors are combining cell culture with nano/micro techniques in their designs and fabrications. The... 

A useful cell-based biosensor should have at least three components living cells as a signal generator upon stimulation, a cell culture component supporting cell growth, and an electrical/optical detection component for signal collection. In addition an assay that connects cell responses to a measurable parameter is necessary if the response itself is difficult to measure. For electrically excitable cells, their electrical activities are indicators for cell status. But for cells with no obvious electrical activity, sometimes a reporter is introduced to translate the cell response to electrical or optical signals. 

Non-excitable cells with no obvious electrical activity play the same important role as excitable cells in cell-based biosensors. The changes in electrical signals, such as cell impedance, and nonelectrical parameters such as cell morphology, proliferation, metabolism, cell viability, pH, and extracellular analyte concentrations, can be measured upon chemical exposure and physical stimuli. Cells can also be genetically engineered to express reporters or biomarkers, such as the green fluorescence protein (GFP), upon specific stimulation. 

Cell-based biosensors offer opportunities to detect, screen, and characterize toxicological properties of toxins, environmental chemicals, and pharmaceuticals with high throughput, excellent sensitivity, and low cost. Flowever, the use of cells requires special attention. 

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