Combination of surface acoustic wave measurement and impedance spectroscopy for detection of cell adhesion process

In this study, a new way of investigating a surface acoustic wave (SAW) based sensor device is reported. For that, SAW sensors with a fundamental mode of about 85 MHz and a metallization of gold were developed. Realized as one port resonators, these sensors allow the continuous detection of electric and viscoelastic properties of the same living cell culture in one measurement step. For obtaining the electric properties of the cells the sensors response in a low frequency range up to 10 MHz (impedance spectroscopy) can be investigated. For the detection of viscoelastic properties, the change of the sensors resonant frequency and its impedance are monitored. All signals are detected vs. time and can be compared face to face.