Development of a multiparametric handheld biosensor for use in mobile applications

Assays entirely based on cells often require large stationary devices for the use in a laboratory environment. As cells are very sensitive the impact of various agents and compounds can be observed. The potential to understand the dynamics of cellular processes justified the development of Lab-on-a-Chip-Systems which allow measurement of the cellular activity in real time. Cells work as signal transducers. The handheld device introduced herein is able to collect the data of the metabolism in the cells micro milieu. Extracellular acidification (pH), oxygen consumption (pO₂) as well as morphology (impedance, for adherent cell lines) can be monitored online. For Point of Care operation the presented Micro-Lab (muLa) uses yeast cells for testing for harmful agents or compounds. This paper describes the technological background of the biosensor system together with its sensor technology. The set-up of cell experiments is described. The concept of an energy-saving microfluidic system is provided as well as data interpretation algorithms and measurement results are presented.