Highly Sensitive Detection and Discrimination of Cell Suspension Based on a Metamaterials-Based Biosensor Chip

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Materials Science
• Biosensing Technology

Background:

• Metamaterials (MMs)-based terahertz (THz) biosensors offer label-free, rapid, and cost-effective clinical diagnosis.
• Existing MMs biosensors struggle with liquid interference and detecting live cells in culture, limiting their application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a THz biosensor using microcavity and MMs for detecting and discriminating multiple cell types in suspension.
• To overcome limitations of existing biosensors by enabling detection of live cells with intact morphology.

Main Methods:

• Designed a THz biosensor incorporating a microcavity and MMs with split rings featuring enhanced gaps.
• Utilized cellular size/density in suspension to induce effective permittivity differences for detection.
• Measured frequency shifts in response to cell apoptosis and discrimination of different cell types.

Main Results:

• Achieved high theoretical sensitivity (~328 GHz/RIU) for detecting suspended cells.
• Observed robust frequency shifts (610-660 GHz) during 72 hours of cell apoptosis.
• Successfully discriminated between nerve cells, glioblastoma (GBM) cells, and their mixture based on distinct frequency responses (~650, ~630, ~620 GHz).

Conclusions:

• The developed THz biosensor enables sensitive and reliable detection and discrimination of multiple living cell types in suspension.
• This technology paves the way for advanced metamaterial-based THz biosensors for clinical diagnosis and tumor investigation.
• The measurement method offers potential for innovations in understanding and treating tumors.