An acoustic wave cytosensor system for living cell study

University Of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA

Investigators

Abstract

It has been recognized that living cells represent biologically evolved systems possessing all the attributes of smart materials. In some sense they represent the ultimate smart material. The major challenge in using living cells as highly sensitive selective and reliable sensors arises on how to transduce the biological changes of the cells under specific conditions into quantitative (or measurable) physical parameters. In this project, we propose a three-years research effort to develop a Love-mode surface acoustic wave (SAW) biosensor that can be used to quantitatively probe the behavior of living cell attachment, spreading, and growth kinetics under various biological conditions. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate that the Love-mode SAW device can provide an electromechanical mechanism for high sensitive signal transduction that allows us to access the cells that attach on the surface of the device as the biological element in this living cellLove-mode SAW biosensor system. The specific aims of this project are: 1) To design, modeling and characterize highly sensitive Love- mode SAW devices; 2) to develop a SAW sensor system consisting of a SAW sensor array, a mini- incubation system, and a microscope system; and 3) to show the functionality of this novel sensor system by investigating adhesive/contractile activities of human tendon fibroblasts. This project will involve modeling, design, fabrication, characterization, and biological evaluation of a novel cytosensor system. Broader Impact of This Project: When completed, this project will provide a novel sensor system that will be capable of simultaneously measuring multiple samples with a high degree of sensitivity. This study will also have substantial impact on the current biosensor research and development, and will greatly promote the use of living cells as transduction devices. The novel sensor system will be a powerful tool to study cell biological events in a real-time, quick, easy, quantitative, and high throughput fashion, and will have wide potential applications not only in biomedical research but also in monitoring environmental contaminants, drug screening and efficacy testing, bacteria and virus testing in the food industry and for anti- bioterrorism applications. The education aspects of this program will include interdisciplinary research training of both graduate and undergraduate researchers; hands-on research training opportunities for K-12 students in each summer semester through the Pitt Engineering Career Access Program (PECAP); and summer research training for undergraduate students from underrepresented groups through Summer Engineering Academy (SEA) program coordinated by the Diversity and Minority Engineering Programs. The research activities proposed in this project will be incorporated into new courses for both undergraduate and graduate student as advanced topics.