AVS 46th International Symposium
    Biomaterial Interfaces Group Tuesday Sessions
       Session BI-TuP

Paper BI-TuP10
A Biosensor for In Vitro Monitoring of Cancer Cell Adhesion Behaviour

Tuesday, October 26, 1999, 5:30 pm, Room 4C

Session: Poster Session
Presenter: G. Nimeri, Gothenburg University, Sweden
Authors: G. Nimeri, Gothenburg University, Sweden
C. Fredriksson, Q-sense AB, Sweden
R. Hultborn, Gothenburg University, Sweden
H. Elwing, Gothenburg University, Sweden
Correspondent: Click to Email
A quartz crystal microbalance and dissipation (QCM-D) sensor, allowing simultaneous resonant frequency (f) and energy dissipation (D) measurements, was used to monitor cancer cell adhesion behaviour (attachment, spreading, and death) in vitro. This method is a mechanical sensor based on a minute (1nm) oscillation in the ultrasound frequency range. By measuring changes in f, the technique can be used to monitor the contact area of the cells with the substrate. Changes in D, which reflect energy losses as a result of friction in the system, provide information related to the internal structure (e.g., stiffness of the cytoskeleton). These two parameters offer new real time information regarding the status of cultured cells in vitro without interruption. The QCM-D signals were monitored for FADU cancer cells (human carcinoma squamous cells) for 8-24 hours. Cells were injected into a specially designed measurement chamber, filled with a minimal essential buffer and kept at 37 degrees C. The deposition and consecutive behaviour on the sensor surface, pre-coated with a tissue culture quality polystyrene overlayer, was then followed. Cell numbers from a few thousand up to a hundred thousand cells on a 1 cm2 surface were studied. The results show that the cells adhere and form a settled layer on the surface with relatively stable baselines in f and D after 4-8 hours. These baseline values indicate that a cultured layer of cells would provide contributions in f and D which can be monitored e.g., during cell growth or treatment. Preliminary results on the adhesion behaviour of non-treated and cells irradiated with 4 Gy (normal tumor treatment) show that the signals are distinctly different. The indications of differences in behaviour are considerably earlier than current methods based on growth rates (DNA staining etc).