Modular microsystem for epithelial cell culture and electrical characterisation

We have realised a microsystem for the culture and electrical characterisat ion of epithelial cell layers for cell-based diagnostic applications. The m ain goal of this work is to achieve both cell culture and impedimetric and potentiometric characterisation on a single device. The miniaturised cell c ulture system enables the uses of scarce epithelial cells, as obtained from transgenic mice or from human biopsies. The device is completely modular a nd offers high flexibility: a polycarbonate membrane used as cell substrate is glued in between two moulded Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layers to form a sandwich, which is placed between two stacks, containing the microfluidi c channels and integrated measurement electrodes. The polycarbonate membran e sandwich can be removed, replaced or analysed at any time. We have charac terised the impedimetric properties of our microsystem, demonstrated epithe lial cell layer growth within it, and have done the initial electrical char acterisation of epithelial cell layers. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.