Drug evaluations using a novel microphysiometer based on cell-based biosensors

This paper presents a novel microphysiometer based on cell-based biosensors for simultaneous measurements of several extracellular ion concentrations in living cells when treated with drugs. It can measure the extracellular a cidification rate (ECAR) under the effects of the drug. Thus the relation b etween the cells' metabolism and the activity of receptors can be explored, and the function of the drug can be analyzed. We used our system to measur e the effects of some drugs on the nephridium and cardiac muscle cells of t he suckling rat. As the microphysiometer works under regular cell culture c onditions, cells can be repeatedly simulated with drugs to complete dose-re sponse curve within a few hours. With the detection of a general parameter (extruded protons and ions), the system can be used to monitor the realtime process of the cells' metabolism, observe the functional responses of diff erent kinds of membrane-bound receptors and evaluate the drugs. (C) 2001 El sevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.