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Robotic Intracellular Pressure Measurement Using Micropipette Electrode
Minghui Li1,2, Jinyu Qiu1,2, Ruimin Li1,2
1Institute of Robotics and Automatic Information System, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Intelligent Robotics, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 11, 2023
Summary
This study introduces a robotic method for measuring intracellular pressure using a traditional micropipette system. The technique offers accurate, efficient, and low-damage cell pressure assessment, suitable for routine lab use.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biophysics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Intracellular pressure is vital for cell physiology and micromanipulation.
- Current measurement methods are costly, complex, and harm cell viability.
- A need exists for accessible and non-damaging intracellular pressure measurement techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a robotic intracellular pressure measurement method using a conventional micropipette electrode system.
- To establish a cost-effective and minimally invasive approach for assessing intracellular pressure.
- To improve the accuracy and efficiency of cell micromanipulation through precise pressure measurement.
Main Methods:
- Modeling micropipette resistance changes with internal pressure in culture medium.
- Determining optimal KCl solution concentration (1 mol/L) for electrode filling.
- Modeling intracellular resistance and measuring pressure changes before and after release.
- Implementing a robotic procedure on a traditional micropipette setup.
Main Results:
- Achieved measurement efficiency of 20-40 porcine oocytes per day.
- Demonstrated high accuracy with less than 5% error in electrode resistance-pressure relationship.
- Confirmed no observable intracellular pressure leakage during measurement.
- Reported measured porcine oocyte pressures consistent with existing literature.
- Obtained a 90% oocyte survival rate post-measurement, indicating minimal cell damage.
Conclusions:
- The proposed robotic method accurately measures intracellular pressure using standard micropipette systems.
- This technique is efficient, cost-effective, and minimally invasive, promoting wider laboratory adoption.
- The findings support the use of this method for understanding cell physiology and enhancing micromanipulation accuracy.
