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A label-free photonic crystal biosensor imaging method for detection of cancer cell cytotoxicity and proliferation

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Abstract

A label-free method for detecting the attachment of human cancer cells to a biosensor surface for rapid screening for biological activity is described, in which attachment of a cell results in highly localized increase of the resonant reflected wavelength of a photonic crystal narrowband reflectance filter incorporated into a standard 96-well microplate. An imaging detection instrument is used to determine the spatial distribution of attached cells by mapping the shift in reflected resonant wavelength as a function of position. The method enables monitoring of cancer cell attachment, cell proliferation, and cell detachment that is induced by exposure of the cells to drug compounds. We demonstrate the efficacy of this method as an early screening technique for the rapid quantification of the rate of cancer cell proliferation on the sensor surface, and subsequently as a means for quantifying cell detachment resulting from apoptosis that is induced by exposure of the cells to cytotoxic chemicals.

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Acknowledgments

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant no. 0427657. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. The authors would like to thank Professor R. Chowdhury from University of Dhaka, Bangladesh for providing the plant extracts. The authors gratefully acknowledge SRU Biosystems for the providing the photonic crystal biosensor microplates. The authors also extend their gratitude to the support staff of the Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA

    Leo L. Chan & Brian T. Cunningham

  2. Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Bio-Imaging Science and Technology Group, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA

    Saujanya L. Gosangari & Kenneth L. Watkin

  3. Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA

    Saujanya L. Gosangari & Kenneth L. Watkin

  4. Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 208 N. Wright Street, Urbana, IL 61801, USA

    Brian T. Cunningham

Authors
  1. Leo L. Chan
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  2. Saujanya L. Gosangari
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  3. Kenneth L. Watkin
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  4. Brian T. Cunningham
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Correspondence to Brian T. Cunningham.

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Chan, L.L., Gosangari, S.L., Watkin, K.L. et al. A label-free photonic crystal biosensor imaging method for detection of cancer cell cytotoxicity and proliferation. Apoptosis 12, 1061–1068 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10495-006-0031-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10495-006-0031-y

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