Label-Free Determination of the Number of Biomolecules Attached to Cells by Measurement of the Cell's Electrophoretic Mobility in a Microchannel

Abstract

We developed a label-free method for a determination of the number of biomolecules attached to individual cells by measuring the electrophoretic mobility of the cells in a microchannel. The surface of a biological cell, which is dispersed in aqueous solution, is normally electrically charged and the charge quantity at the cell's surface is slightly changed once antibody molecules are attached to the cell, based on which we detect the attachment of antibody molecules to the surface of individual red blood cells by electrophoretic mobility measurement. We also analyzed the number of antibody molecules attached to the cell's surface using a flow cytometer. We found that there is a clear correlation between the number of antibody molecules attached to the individual cells and the electophoretic mobility of the cells. The present technique may well be utilized not only in the field of cell biology but also in the medical and pharmaceutical industries.

Bioelectricity, Its Fundamentals, Characterization Methodology, and Applications in Nano‐Bioprobing and Cancer Diagnosis

“…Cells are moved along the microchannel by applying a DC electric field. Reproduced with permission . Copyright 2010, Public Library of Science.…”

“…Electrophoresis is usually used to drive the movement of small, structurally stable particles with stable surface charges with a large charge to mass ratio, but no concern on the damages to the subjects . As shown in Figure A, Aki et al developed a label‐free method for characterizing the conjugation of antibody molecules to red blood cells by measuring the electrophoretic mobility in a micro‐channel.…”

Detection and Analysis of Targeted Biological Cells by Electrophoretic Coulter Method

“…In the ECM module, this MPC solution is then injected into the microchannel formed by the PDMS substrate and PDMS plate, and the ECM module is incubated for 12 h at 40 °C. This prevents adhesion of the specimens on the microchannel surface. ,, …”

“…This prevents adhesion of the specimens on the microchannel surface. 27,29,30 Characterization of Zeta Potential Causing EOF of Microchannel Wall. In this study, we characterized the zeta potential (ζ EO ) causing EOF with velocity v EO near the PDMS channel surface and minimized ζ EO by redesigning the microchannel geometries at the aperture; hence, the ECM accuracy and precision were improved.…”

Electrophoresis of Myocardial Cells

“…Through the method of cell electrophoresis the information of the cell surface structure can be obtained and is valuable for the function study of cells, tissues and organs. Many studies have been reported on the fluidic electric phenomena of cells (Ertan & Rampling, 2003;Aki et al, 2010;Brown et al, 1985;Pimenta & de Souza, 1982), but quite limited on the separation of myocardial cell electric phenomena possibly due to the short of myocardial cell electrophoresis technology to conduct the experiments. The methods only observing through separation and investigation of myocardial cell surface complex sugars and plasma membrane phospholipid composition on the cell contraction within the ion flow (inward ionic current) may not actually take the cell membrane and membrane structure as a whole but insularly highlight the single component in achieving cardiac function.…”