Nanomaterial based self-referencing microbiosensors for cell and tissue physiology research

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Biotechnology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Physiological studies need sensitive tools for quantifying transport kinetics in real-time.
• Existing biosensors have limitations in sensitivity, drift, noise, and transport quantification.
• Nanomaterials enhance microelectrode transduction, enabling highly sensitive microbiosensors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and validate a novel self-referencing (SR) microbiosensor modality.
• To demonstrate the application of SR microbiosensors for real-time analyte transport measurement.
• To highlight the utility of SR microbiosensors in diverse physiological research areas.

Main Methods:

• Development of SR microbiosensors utilizing nanomaterial-enhanced microelectrodes.
• Application of SR microbiosensors to measure real-time analyte transport under physiological conditions.
• Integration with various stimulators and inhibitors to study dynamic cellular and tissue processes.

Main Results:

• SR microbiosensors achieved high sensitivity and reduced drift/noise.
• Successful real-time measurement of glucose uptake in various cells and tissues (pancreatic β cells, cancer cells, muscle, intestine, biofilms).
• Quantification of glutamate flux near neurons and indole-3-acetic acid flux in plant roots.

Conclusions:

• SR microbiosensors are a valuable tool for precise, real-time analyte transport quantification in physiological research.
• These biosensors provide critical insights into cancer, diabetes, neurophysiology, and plant physiology.
• The technology enables dynamic studies under physiological conditions, overcoming limitations of conventional methods.