Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2026
08:42
Determination of Zeta Potential via Nanoparticle Translocation Velocities through a Tunable Nanopore: Using DNA-modified Particles as an Example
Published on: October 26, 2016
Zeta potential: An efficient and cost-effective alternative for investigating cell-surface interactions.
Aakash Gupta1, Weizheng Wang1, Joy Zhao2
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, United States.
Methods (San Diego, Calif.)
|June 16, 2026
Summary
Zeta potential analysis offers a rapid, low-cost, label-free method to monitor cell-surface interactions in real-time. This technique accurately detects molecular binding events in living mammalian and bacterial cells, aiding drug discovery.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Monitoring cell-surface interactions is crucial for drug discovery and understanding cellular functions.
- Existing methods like ELISA, FRET, and AFM are expensive, time-consuming, and require specialized expertise.
- These traditional methods may not accurately represent live-cell dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and validate Zeta potential analysis as a cost-effective, real-time, and label-free method for quantifying cell-surface interactions.
- To demonstrate the application of Zeta potential analysis in assessing molecular interactions in living systems.
Main Methods:
- Zeta potential analysis was employed to measure surface charge shifts induced by molecular interactions.
- Two examples were presented: per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) interaction with human mammary cells (MCF10A, MDA-MB-231) and nanoparticle interaction with bacteria (E. coli, S. typhi, B. subtilis).
- Results were benchmarked against immunofluorescent staining on live cells.
Main Results:
- Zeta potential analysis provided results within 15 minutes at a cost of less than $5 per experiment.
- The technique demonstrated versatility across mammalian and bacterial cell types.
- Subtle biological responses causing surface charge shifts were clearly detected.
Conclusions:
- Zeta potential analysis is a powerful tool for real-time monitoring of molecular binding events in living systems.
- This method facilitates the confirmation of ligand-receptor interaction mechanisms.
- It offers early, reliable insights for pre-clinical drug development, potentially reducing investment in costly downstream methods.
