Monitoring vital functions of A-375 melanoma cell cultures via thin-film nickel capacitors

This article deals in the constantly developing branch of microelectronic devices used in various fields of medicine, i.e. diagnostics and treatment of previously incurable human diseases. A method for assessing and monitoring the vital functions of living cells by measuring cellular impedance in real-time using the ECIS® system and a commercial culture substrate is presented. The goal was to develop a substrate significantly less expensive than a commercial substrate that would be suitable for multiple uses and compatible with the ECIS® measurement station. Moreover, thanks to the use of a material with electrochemical properties other than the biocompatible material (gold or platinum) it is possible to observe the cells behavior with regard to the toxic agent. For this purpose, a culture substrate with nickel comb capacitors was used. To make the electrodes, a thin metal layer was sputtered on polycarbonate plates in the magnetron sputtering process. Prior to the next stages, technological masks were designed so as to fit in the ECIS® measuring station. Subsequently, the microelectronic processes of photolithography and etching the metal layer were performed. Finally, the wells were glued onto the culture medium with a biocompatible adhesive. The completed substrates were transferred to the Department of Human Physiology, Medical University of Lublin, for the culture test on A-375 human melanoma cells. The results of the experiment determined the usefulness of the device for monitoring cell culture vital functions by means of impedance measurement.

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Opracowanie rekordu ze środków MNiSW, umowa Nr 461252 w ramach programu "Społeczna odpowiedzialność nauki" - moduł: Popularyzacja nauki i promocja sportu (2021).