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An In Vitro Electric Field Exposure Device with Real-Time Cell Impedance Sensing

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Iranian Journal of Science and Technology, Transactions A: Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Electric fields are known to affect cell growth and viability. Using electric field treatments for cancer therapy and regenerative medicine is actively researched because of the noninvasive, efficient and low-price nature of electric field exposure. To monitor the effects of such treatments on cells, chemical assays are conventionally used after treatment which are usually time-consuming, expensive, offline and destructive to the sample under study. Electric cell impedance sensing has recently been shown to provide comparable monitoring capability for chemical treatments nondestructively. Here, we report a novel device that provides electric field treatment with online cell-substrate impedance sensing, both combined through a single microelectrode array. Design, numerical simulations and dosimetry, microfabrication and in vitro tests are described, and the electronic systems realized to flexibly control electric field exposure amplitude and timings are explained. The fast, nondestructive performance of the resulting stimulus–ECIS system is successfully confirmed in comparison with chemical assays. Also a real experiment is reported showing the prevention of cancerous cell growth by 26% with exposure to a weak EF at 150 kHz frequency. The fast, online response of the device signifies its potential to become a popular standard setup for experimental cell research.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to express gratitude to Dr. Reza Faraji-dana from the center of excellence on numerical electromagnetics and bioelectromagnetics at the University of Tehran for kind support with instrumentation during the tests. The authors have no competing interests to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), P.O. Box 15875-4413, Hafiz Ave., Crossroads at Somaye Ave., Tehran, Iran

    Amir-Mohammad Shamaee, Mehrdad Saviz & Atefeh Solouk

  2. Nano Bio Electronic Devices Lab, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14395/515, Kargar Ave., Tehran, Iran

    Mohammad Abdolahad

  3. Nano Electronic Center of Excellence, Thin Film and Nanoelectronic Lab, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14395/515, Kargar Ave., Tehran, Iran

    Mohammad Abdolahad

Authors
  1. Amir-Mohammad Shamaee
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  2. Mehrdad Saviz
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  3. Atefeh Solouk
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  4. Mohammad Abdolahad
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Correspondence to Mehrdad Saviz.

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Shamaee, AM., Saviz, M., Solouk, A. et al. An In Vitro Electric Field Exposure Device with Real-Time Cell Impedance Sensing. Iran J Sci Technol Trans Sci 44, 575–585 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40995-020-00861-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40995-020-00861-z

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