Cell-Based Sensors

FIGURE 1.6 Schematic representation of cell-based sensor (CBB) for pathogen detection. After binding to receptor on mammalian cells, pathogen or toxin will aid in the release of signaling molecules such as fluorescence or enzyme that can be detected using an appropriate sensor. 

A novel genetically engineered B-cell-based sensor was developed to detect various pathogens relevant to food safety and biowarfare agents (Rider et ah, 2003). The B-cells were engineered to express cytosolic aequ-orin, a calcium-sensitive bioluminescent protein, and pathogen-specific... 

Bhunia, A. K., Banada, P. P., Banerjee, P., Valadez, A., and Hirleman, E. D. (2007). Light scattering, fiber optic and cell-based sensors for sensitive detection of foodborne pathogens. J. Rapid Methods Automat. Microbiol. 15,121-145. 

Gray, K. M. (2004). Cytotoxicity and cell-based sensors for detection of Listeria monocytogenes and Bacillus species. Ph.D. Dissertation, Purdue University, West Lafayette p. 130. 

Fig. 4 Different optochemical configurations for flow-cell-based sensors. Notice that flow cells are expendable. S source, D detector, Of optical fiber, a Non-guided sensors the transmission of a non-guided collimated radiation beam is measured, b Radiation is guided though optical fibers from the source to the recognition element and from this position to the detector...

Rider TH, Petrovick MS, Nargi FE, Flarper JD, Schwoebel ED, Mathews RH, et al. A B cell-based sensor for rapid identification of pathogens. Science 2003 301 213-5. 

In addition, the response time of immobilized yeast to different sugars was used for monitoring and control of Bacillus licheniformis cultures (Hundeck et al. 1992). Specificity is not a characteristic of cell-based sensors rather, they are characterized by their ability to react in an integrated way to various stimuli. 

In similar fashion to DNA and protein microarrays the ability to create arrays of cells and even tissues at high-density offers the potential for the development of cell-based sensors... 

Massively parallel cell-based sensors will also be used to screen large quantities of drugs rapidly, which will dramatically expedite the drug discovery process, which will rely much less on animal models (Kapur et al., 1999). These systems will inevitably involve genetically engineered cells to monitor gene expression profiles in response to exposure to various drugs and toxins. They... 

Biosensors application for heavy and toxic metals determination is extensively reviewed in some recent works [7, 22-24]. Relevant examples include inhibition-based enzyme sensors, DNA-, antibody-, and whole-cell-based sensors. 

The electrochemical biosensors for pesticides monitoring involve enzyme, antibodies, and cells-based sensors [7, 24, 27, 30, 32]. The application of various enz3mes - acetylcholinesterase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, organo-phosphoms hydrolase, and tyrosinase - for the quantification of organochlorine, organophos-phate, and carbamate pesticides in the environment... 

As mentioned previously, one of the most important and exciting advantages of conjugated polymer microactuators is the possibility of integrating them into more complex microsystems, such as the cell-based sensors described above. The actuators add the powerful capability of mechanical manipulation of biology on the microscale. This is enabled by their low voltage operation and room temperature microfabrication, and the wide variety of actuator configurations that are possible. 

Smela, E., Christophersen, M., Prakash, S. B. (2007) 12 14 Oct. Integrated cell-based sensors and cell clinics utilizing conjugated polymer actuators, SPIE 14th Annual International Symposium on Smart Structures and Materials, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD), San Diego, CA, 6524 (ed. Bar-Cohen, Y.), OG 1 10. 

In similar fashion to DNA and protein microarrays the ability to create arrays of cells and even tissues at high-density offers the potential for the development of cell-based sensors with extremely high throughput and multiplex capability. Research on biomolecular interactions on the genomic, the proteomic and the cellular level paves the way for advanced understanding of the function of the human genome and to unravel the complexity of biological pathways and cellular networks that control life processes. 

Weigum, S.E., et al., 2007. Cell-based sensor for analysis of EGER biomarker expression in oral cancer. Lab Chip 7 (8), 995-1003. Available at http //pubs.rsc.org/en/content/ articlehtml/2007/lc/b703918b. 

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