Impedance spectroscopy for label-free cell analysis

The aim of this project is to take a newly developed cell analysis technology (micro impedance spectroscopy) and use it to study a variety of important cellular response and pathologies. Examples include cellular reactions to toxic compounds, response to viral infection as well as cell aging and death.

Impedance spectroscopy (IS) represents a powerful label-free method for cell analysis. The technique allows quantitative measurement of the inherent electrical and dielectric properties of cells; such as membrane capacitance, membrane resistance, cytoplasmic conductivity and permittivity. These properties directly reflect the cell?s biological structure and metabolic state. Widespread use of IS has been limited by the technical complexity and time consuming nature of the measurement process. AC electrokinetic techniques such as electrorotatio have allowed researchers to measure cell dielectric properties, at the single cell level, however it takes many minutes to measure each cell. The applicants have recently developed a high throughput IS technology, microFACS, capable of rapidly measuring the dielectric properties of individual cells in a flow though format similar to that of a traditional flow cytometer ( 1000 cells per second). The aim of this proposal is to take this novel high throughput single cell impedance spectroscopy technology and apply it to the study of the physiological processes involved in cell activation, proliferation and death.