CHARACTERIZATION OF CELL-MOVEMENT BY IMPEDANCE MEASUREMENT ON FIBROBLASTS GROWN ON PERFORATED SI-MEMBRANES

Mouse fibroblasts grown on perforated Si-membranes (pore diameter appr oximate to 10 mu m have been studied to clarify cell locomotive abilit y. The cell motility was microscopically monitored by a time-lapse vid eo system and, simultaneously, the impedance of the growing cells was measured every 5 s. The correlations between observed cell activities and measured impedance events are discussed and classified. The method is sensitive and allows discrimination between signals arising from t ranslocation of single cells and those arising from filopodia activiti es. Both cell and filopodia motion could be detected. Designs of micro devices fabricated in semiconductor technology are presented.