Plasmonic Biosensing for Label-Free Detection of Two Hallmarks of Cancer Cells: Cell-Matrix Interaction and Cell...

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Cancer Research
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Cancer cells exhibit sustained proliferation and invasion, linked to altered cell adhesion.
• Current detection methods like flow cytometry and FRET microscopy are fluorescence-based.
• Actin cortex configuration is crucial for cell cycle progression and cell-matrix adhesion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To utilize a gold nanohole array biosensor for label-free, real-time detection of cancer cell processes.
• To investigate the biosensor's ability to differentiate cancer cells in distinct cell cycle phases (G0/G1 vs. G2).
• To monitor dynamic changes in cancer cell-matrix adhesion upon interaction with fibronectin.

Main Methods:

• Development and application of a label-free gold nanohole array biosensor.
• Culturing colorectal cancer cells and synchronizing them into G0/G1 or G2 phases.
• Monitoring spectral responses of single cells using the biosensor.
• Assessing cell-matrix adhesion by depositing cancer cells onto fibronectin-coated biosensors.

Main Results:

• The nanohole array biosensor successfully discriminated between cancer cells in G0/G1 and G2 phases.
• Spectral changes indicative of cell-matrix interaction were detected within 20 minutes of cell deposition.
• Observed spectral changes correlated with increasing cell-biosensor contact surface over 60 minutes.

Conclusions:

• The gold nanohole array biosensor offers a simple, fast, and label-free method for studying cellular processes.
• This technology can effectively detect cancer cell division and real-time cell-matrix interactions.
• The biosensor holds potential for both clinical and research applications in cancer diagnostics and fundamental cell biology.