Single Cell Microwave Biosensor for Monitoring Cellular Response to Electrochemotherapy

IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2022 Nov;69(11):3407-3414. doi: 10.1109/TBME.2022.3170267. Epub 2022 Oct 19.

Abstract

This paper presents a 40 GHz microwave biosensor used to monitor and characterize single cells (THP-1) subjected to electrochemotherapy and obtain an electronic signature of the treatment efficiency. This biosensor proposes a non-destructive and label-free technique that first allows, with the rapid measurement of single untreated cells in their culture medium, the extraction of two frequency-dependent dielectric parameters, the capacitance (C (f)) and the conductance (G (f)). Second, this technique can powerfully reveal the effects of a chemical membrane permeabilizing treatment (Saponin). At last, it permits us to detect, and predict, the potentiation of a molecule classically used in chemotherapy (Bleomycin) when combined with the application of electric pulses (principle of electrochemotherapy). Treatment-affected cells show a decrease in the capacitive and conductive contrasts, indicating damages at the cellular levels. Along with these results, classical biological tests are conducted. Statistical analysis points out a high correlation rate (R2>0.97), which clearly reveals the reliability and efficacy of our technique and makes it an attractive technique for biology related researches and personalized medicine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques*
  • Bleomycin / therapeutic use
  • Electrochemotherapy* / methods
  • Microwaves
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Saponins*

Substances

  • Bleomycin
  • Saponins