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Fabrication, Operation and Flow Visualization in Surface-acoustic-wave-driven Acoustic-counterflow Microfluidics
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Multiple-layer guided surface acoustic wave (SAW)-based pH sensing in longitudinal FiSS-tumoroid cultures
Tao Wang1, Ryan Green2, Rasim Guldiken3
1Center for Research and Education in Nanobioengineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; Microfluidics and Acoustics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; James A Haley VA Hospital, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
Biosensors & Bioelectronics
|November 4, 2018
Summary
A novel microfluidic sensor uses surface acoustic waves (SAW) to monitor pH in real-time, crucial for understanding cancer cell drug response. This technology offers a non-invasive tool for tracking pH in cell cultures.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Elevated intracellular pH is a hallmark of cancer, influencing drug responsiveness.
- Current methods for real-time, non-invasive pH monitoring in cell cultures are limited.
- Accurate pH determination is critical for cancer research and drug development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate a microfluidic surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor for real-time pH monitoring in cell and tumoroid cultures.
- To develop a novel, non-invasive sensing tool to address the unmet need in cancer research.
- To evaluate the sensor's capability in measuring pH changes in cell culture media.
Main Methods:
- A multi-layer guided SAW sensor integrated into a microfluidic channel was designed and modeled using finite element simulation.
- The sensor utilized a 13.91 MHz SAW device coated with ZnO and IrO2 layers for enhanced sensitivity.
- Experimental verification involved monitoring pH changes in H460 cancer cell culture media over five days.
Main Results:
- The novel SAW sensor demonstrated sensitivity to pH changes through alterations in the IrO2 layer's properties.
- Electrical corrosion of the IrO2 layer induced by pH solutions affected SAW phase velocity and attenuation.
- Frequency shifts accurately correlated with pH variations in the cell culture media.
Conclusions:
- The developed microfluidic SAW sensor platform shows significant potential for non-invasive, real-time pH monitoring in longitudinal cell cultures.
- This technology can be integrated into microfluidic systems for precise determination of pH changes in cancer research.
- The sensor offers a valuable tool for assessing drug responsiveness and understanding cancer cell behavior.
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