ELECTRODE ARRAYS IN TISSUE CULTURE

该项目的目标是开发一个10-4cm2的电极阵列 用于组织培养的一种新的仪器方法。该方法， 称为ECIS(电池-衬底阻抗传感器)，是一种 非侵入性技术测量几个体外细胞参数， 此前都很难量化。其中包括单元格 运动性、粘附性和传播性、形态和屏障功能 细胞层。样机仪器的电子学和软件 都已经解决了。然而，要想取得成功，一种实用的方法 现在需要制作电极。在第一阶段，研究将是 为测试使用现代光刻胶的可行性而进行 生产金电极阵列的技术。具体地说，研究 将讨论(1)塑料和塑料光刻胶技术的改进 玻璃衬底，(2)光致抗蚀剂在培养介质中的稳定性，以及 (3)细胞培养体系的配伍性。如果这些研究是 成功后，最终的原型将被组装和测试，其中 计算机可寻址电极对将放置在 每孔一块标准的组织培养多孔板。从长远来看 这项工作的目标是开发ECIS仪器，包括 使用最先进的制造技术制造的电极阵列 程序。该方法将是一种实用和高度灵敏的方法 用于医学和生物学研究的监测细胞行为的手段。

The goal of this project is to develop an array of 10-4cm2 electrodes for use with a new instrumental method for tissue culture. The method, referred to as ECIS (electric cell-substrate impedance sensor), is a non-invasive technique to measure several in vitro cell parameters that have previously been difficult to quantify. These include cell motility, adhesion and spreading, morphology and the barrier functions of cell layers. The electronics and software of prototype instrument have been worked out. To be successful, however, a practical method of fabricating electrodes is now required. In Phase I, research will be carried out to test the feasibility of using modern photoresist technology to produce arrays of gold electrodes. Specifically, studies will address (1) modification of photoresist technology for plastic and glass substrates, (2) stability of photoresists in culture media, and (3) compatibility of the system for cell culture. If these studies are successful, a final prototype will be assembled and tested, where computer-addressable electrode pairs will be located on the floor of each well of a standard tissue culture multiwell plate. The long term objective of this work is to develop the ECIS instrument incorporating electrode arrays fabricated using state-of-the art manufacturing procedures. The method will then be a practical and highly sensitive means to monitor cell behavior for both medical and biological research.