Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 22, 2026

Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor
Published on: February 10, 2014
Monitoring of Cell Layer Integrity with a Current-Driven Organic Electrochemical Transistor
Leona V Lingstedt1, Matteo Ghittorelli2, Maximilian Brückner1,3
1Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
Abstract:
The integrity of CaCo-2 cell barriers is investigated by organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) in a current-driven configuration. Ion transport through cellular barriers via the paracellular pathway is modulated by tight junctions between adjacent cells. Rupturing its integrity by H2 O2 is monitored by the change of the output voltage in the transfer characteristics. It is demonstrated that by operating the OECT in a current-driven configuration, the sensitive and temporal resolution for monitoring the cell barrier integrity is strongly enhanced as compared to the OECT transient response measurement. As a result, current-driven OECTs are useful tools to assess dynamic and critical changes in tight junctions, relevant for clinical applications as drug targeting and screening.
Related Concept Videos
What is an Electrochemical Gradient?
The chemical gradient relies on differences in the abundance of a substance on the outside versus the inside of a cell and flows from areas of high to low ion concentration. In contrast, the electrical gradient revolves around an...
Field Effect Transistor
Bipolar Junction Transistor
Outer Layers of the Cell Envelope
Electrical Current
Layers of the Epidermis
Stratum Basale
Stratum basale, also known as the stratum germinativum, is the deepest layer of the epidermis. It is composed of a single layer of actively dividing cells called basal cells or basal keratinocytes. These cells constantly undergo cell division to replenish the upper layers of the epidermis. Additionally, melanocytes, which...

