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Intracellular detection and communication of a wireless chip in cell
Mimi X Yang1, Xiaolin Hu1, Demir Akin2
1Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
Scientific Reports
|March 17, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed the first wireless electronic device for intracellular detection within cells. This breakthrough enables non-invasive, real-time cellular analysis for personalized medicine and biological studies.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Nanotechnology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Technological advancements significantly impact healthcare, personalized medicine, and biological understanding.
- Miniaturization of electronics is key to developing novel biological tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the first wireless detection and communication of an electronic device inside a cell.
- To establish a foundation for non-invasive, intracellular wireless platforms for single-cell analyses.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a 25 micrometer (µm) wireless radio frequency identification (RFID) device.
- Demonstrated cellular uptake of the RFID device by mammalian cells.
- Quantified S-parameters and power delivery efficiency before and after biological immersion.
Main Results:
- Successfully detected and identified the wireless RFID device externally while it was located intracellularly.
- Observed distinct electrical responses from different RFID tags in a biological environment, enabling non-invasive cell classification.
- Showcased the potential for adapting the platform for various sensors and actuators.
Conclusions:
- This work represents a significant step towards non-invasive, intracellular wireless platforms for advanced single-cell analyses.
- The developed technology facilitates long-term intracellular real-time measurement systems for personalized medicine.
- Provides an advanced technique for assessing cellular physiology changes due to drug and disease stimuli, overcoming limitations of current methods.
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