A cell viability assessment approach based on electrical wound-healing impedance characteristics

Cell viability evaluation is very meaningful for cancer treatment and cell proliferation is an effective evaluation criterion for cell viability. Traditionally, cell proliferation rate is obtained only by monitoring for several cell cycles (about 12 h) and yet there is no rapid assessment method to evaluate cell proliferation. In this paper, a rapid, real-time and online assessment approach (about 12.5 min) of cell proliferation based on electrical wound-healing impedance characteristics is proposed to evaluate the cell proliferation rate and improve cell viability assessment. The electrical wounding threshold u_th is firstly studied, then an electrical signal (u₁ < u_th) is applied to analyze cell recovery impedance characteristics, next an electrical signal (u₂ > u_th) is applied to wound cells on the electrodes to death. The real-time monitoring of cell proliferation is realized by Chi660E. The results indicate that the speed of cell recovery and proliferation become slower with a higher concentration of H₂O₂ added. On this basis, a model of the relationship between cell recovery impedance characteristics and cell proliferation is built for cell proliferation evaluation. Finally, the effect of temperature on cell recovery is also discussed to provide theoretical support for influencing factors of the biosensor design.