Improved cell sensitivity and longevity in a rapid impedance‐based toxicity sensor

A number of toxicity sensors for testing field water using a range of eukaryotic cell types have been proposed, but it has been difficult to identify sensors with both appropriate sensitivity to toxicants and the potential for long‐term viability. Assessment of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cell (BPAEC) monolayer electrical impedance with electric cell‐substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) showed promise in a previous systematic evaluation of toxicity sensor technologies. The goal of the study reported here was to improve toxicant responsiveness and field portability of this cell‐based toxicity sensor. A variety of human cells, non‐human mammalian cells, and non‐mammalian vertebrate cells were screened for sensitivity to 12 waterborne industrial chemicals. The results of this assessment show that bovine lung microvessel endothelial cell (BLMVEC) monolayers and iguana heart (IgH‐2) cell monolayers could detect nine out of the 12 waterborne industrial chemicals, an improvement over the seven chemicals previously detected using BPAEC monolayers. Both the BLMVEC and IgH‐2 cell monolayers were tested for their ability for long‐term survival on the ECIS test chips in a laboratory environment. Both cell lines were able to maintain high impedance readings on the ECIS electrodes for 37 days, a key trait in developing a field‐portable toxicity sensor for water. Cell line optimization has greatly contributed to the on‐going development of a field‐portable cell‐based biosensor that detects with sensitivity a wide range of waterborne toxicants. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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