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Scalable nano-bioprobes with sub-cellular resolution for cell detection
Alokik Kanwal1, Shanmugamurthy Lakshmanan, Ashwini Bendiganavale
1New Jersey Institute of Technology, Department of Physics, Newark, NJ 07102, USA. alokik@njit.edu
Biosensors & Bioelectronics
|March 19, 2013
Summary
A novel carbon nanotube device noninvasively detects single cells using impedance spectroscopy. This scalable technology is crucial for identifying different cell types with high spatial resolution.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Nanotechnology
- Electrical Engineering
Background:
- Accurate and rapid detection of single cells is vital for biological research and diagnostics.
- Existing methods often lack spatial resolution or require invasive procedures.
- Scalable fabrication of nanoscale devices is a key challenge in cell detection technology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a carbon nanotube (CNT)-based device for noninvasive, high-resolution detection of mobile single cells.
- To demonstrate the device's capability using various cell types and impedance spectroscopy.
- To confirm the essential role of CNTs in successful cell detection and characterization.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a device using complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology with integrated carbon nanotubes.
- Deposition of nanotubes via electrophoresis to ensure CMOS compatibility.
- Impedance spectroscopy measurements on human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells, mouse neurons, and yeast (S. pombe) with and without the device and nanotubes.
Main Results:
- The CNT-based device successfully detected the presence of mobile single cells.
- Carbon nanotubes were essential for distinguishing cells from the background.
- The device demonstrated the ability to differentiate between cell types based on their characteristics.
- The device's small spacing (6 μm) is suitable for single-cell analysis.
Conclusions:
- Carbon nanotube-based devices offer a promising platform for noninvasive, high-resolution single-cell detection.
- CMOS-compatible fabrication enables scalable production of these advanced cell sensing devices.
- The technology can be applied to various cell types, including mammalian cells and yeast, for research and diagnostics.
