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A platform for high-throughput bioenergy production phenotype characterization in single cells
Laimonas Kelbauskas1, Honor Glenn1, Clifford Anderson1
1Center for Biosignatures Discovery Automation, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 1001S. McAllister Ave., Tempe, AZ 85287, USA.
Scientific Reports
|March 29, 2017
Summary
This study introduces a new platform to measure single-cell bioenergy production, revealing cell-to-cell variability crucial for understanding cancer survival and recurrence. The technology analyzes oxygen consumption and pH in individual cells.
Area of Science:
- Cellular biology
- Biophysics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The bioenergy production phenotype is linked to various diseases but is poorly understood at the single-cell level due to bulk analysis limitations.
- Cell-to-cell variability in energy metabolism is implicated in cancer cell survival and recurrence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a technology platform for high-throughput single-cell analysis of bioenergy production.
- To investigate cell-to-cell variability in cellular energy metabolism and its response to modulators.
Main Methods:
- A novel platform combining tandem optical sensors (oxygen and pH) with a microwell device for single-cell isolation.
- Analysis of hundreds to thousands of individual cells per assay in hermetically sealed chambers.
- Measurement of oxygen consumption and extracellular acidification at the single-cell level.
Main Results:
- Identification of cell subpopulations with abnormal energy production profiles.
- Quantification of cellular communication effects on the energy production phenotype.
- Determination of single-cell responses to electron transfer chain inhibitors and ion uncouplers.
Conclusions:
- The developed platform overcomes ensemble averaging limitations, enabling detailed analysis of single-cell bioenergetics.
- This technology provides insights into cellular heterogeneity and its role in disease states like cancer.
- The platform facilitates the study of cellular responses to metabolic perturbations at an unprecedented resolution.
