Label-free independent quantitation of viable and non-viable cells using a multivariable multi-resonant sensor

Biological cells are utilized for diverse biotechnological and bioengineering purposes ranging from the production of biopharmaceuticals, to cell therapy, "human-on-a-chip" drug and toxicology assays, and drug-resistance tests. In these and other applications, it is critical to quantify the levels of not only viable but also non-viable cells. While traditional off-line cell-staining methods are available for counting of non-viable cells, many applications cannot periodically remove cells for their off-line analysis because of the risk of contamination or workflow logistics. Here we show in-situ label-free quantitation of viable and non-viable cells with multivariable multi-resonant sensors. We used Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in suspension culture in single-use bioreactors as a representative example. The resonant sensor design strategy permitted enhanced sensor sensitivity versus conventional non-resonant measurements and probed the spectral dispersion of viable and non-viable cells with multiple resonances. These capabilities of label-free in-situ analysis of cell viability can be attractive in diverse cell applications such as cell suspensions, adhered cells, and their 3D assemblages.