Microfabrication in silicon microphysiometry

• Published in: Clinical chemistry (Baltimore, Md.) Vol. 40; no. 9; pp. 1800 - 1804
• Main Authors: Baxter, GT, Bousse, LJ, Dawes, TD, Libby, JM, Modlin, DN, Owicki, JC, Parce, JW
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC Am Assoc Clin Chem 01.09.1994; American Association for Clinical Chemistry
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biosensing Techniques; Biosensors; Biotechnology; Cells, Cultured; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Silicon; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Various methods and equipments; Antibiotic; Sensitivity resistance; Biosensor; Escherichia coli; Bacteriostasis; Bacteria; Manufacturing; Measurement method; Potentiometry; Enterobacteriaceae; Bactericidal effect
• ISSN: 0009-9147; 1530-8561
• DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/40.9.1800

Over the past 5 years, microphysiometry has proved an effective means for detecting physiological changes in cultured cells, particularly as a functional assay for the activation of many cellular receptors. To demonstrate the clinical relevance of this method, we have used it to detect bacterial antibiotic sensitivity and to discriminate between bacteriostatic and bacteriocidal concentrations. The light-addressable potentiometric sensor, upon which microphysiometry is based, is well suited for structural manipulations based on photolithography and micromachining, and we have begun to take advantage of this capability. We present results from a research instrument with eight separate assay channels on a 5-cm2 chip. We discuss the planned evolution of the technology toward high-through-put instruments and instruments capable of performing single-cell measurements.