THz Spectroscopy for a Rapid and Label-Free Cell Viability Assay in a Microfluidic Chip Based on an Optical Clearing...

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Cell Biology
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Cell viability assays are crucial for biomedical research, including toxicology and drug screening.
• Traditional assays often require labels or are time-consuming.
• Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy offers potential for label-free analysis but faces challenges with water absorption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a rapid, label-free, and efficient cell viability assay using THz spectroscopy.
• To overcome the limitations of water absorption in THz spectroscopy for biological samples.
• To demonstrate the application of this novel method in drug screening.

Main Methods:

• Utilized THz spectroscopy combined with microfluidic technology.
• Introduced a novel optical clearing agent (OCA) strategy to replace water molecules around cells.
• Screened and selected fluorinated oil as the optimal OCA due to low absorption and cytotoxicity.

Main Results:

• Observed distinct THz spectral differences between cells and fluorinated oil in microfluidic chips.
• Successfully quantified cell viability of human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) after drug treatment.
• Demonstrated the assay's ability to provide rapid, label-free, and non-destructive measurements.

Conclusions:

• The THz spectroscopy method with OCA is a promising tool for cell viability assessment.
• This water-replacement strategy significantly reduces background interference in THz spectroscopy.
• The technique offers a convenient and practical platform for cell analysis, drug screening, and toxicology studies.