A portable cell-based impedance sensor for toxicity testing of drinking water

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Biotechnology
• Biosensor Technology

Background:

• Mammalian cell-based biosensors are limited by the need for on-site cell culture facilities to maintain cell viability and sterility.
• Field testing of drinking water requires robust and portable biosensing systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a portable, automated mammalian cell-based toxicity sensor for field testing of drinking water.
• To enable long-term maintenance of endothelial cells on fluidic biochips for toxicity monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Utilized enclosed fluidic biochips with endothelial cells monitored by Electric Cell-substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS).
• Incorporated a self-contained disposable media delivery system for long-term cell maintenance.
• Developed a curve discrimination program to analyze impedance changes and determine toxicity.

Main Results:

• The portable sensor successfully monitored impedance changes in cell monolayers upon water sample introduction.
• Endothelial cells on fluidic biochips showed toxicant responses comparable to conventional ECIS chips.
• Cells were maintained for at least nine days in the device, with longer-term storage (up to four months) demonstrated for specific cell types.

Conclusions:

• This is the first portable benchtop system demonstrating extended cell health support and impedance-based toxicant detection.
• The developed biosensor offers a viable solution for on-site drinking water toxicity assessment, overcoming previous limitations.