Applied BioPhysics launches a new line of cell-based ECIS instruments

Nov. 12, 2008 - PRLog -- Applied BioPhysics, Inc. has fully reengineered their existing line of instrumentation to monitor cells in culture using electrical impedance.  The new Electric Cell-substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS) models Z and Zθ (theta) provide multiple frequency measurements, broader bandwidth, increased speed, higher sensitivity, and comprehensive data analysis capabilities.  

As the pioneer of this cell-measurement technology, Applied BioPhysics has taken its 15 year experience with impedance-based instrumentation coupled with researcher’s suggestions and needs to produce an entirely new line of ECIS instrumentation with state-of-the-art electronics and unparalleled performance.  

In ECIS cells are cultured upon small gold electrodes whose impedance is measured with a weak AC signal.  When cells attach and spread on these electrodes, their insulating membranes constrain the current, forcing it to flow beneath and between the cells.  This results in impedance changes that can be readily measured and used to quantify cell behavior. This highly quantitative approach gathers real time data on cell behavior without the use of fluorescence or radiolabeled materials.  With high sensitivity, ECIS can reliably measure cell behaviors including cell attachment and spreading on ECM proteins, cell migration, extravasion of endothelial cell layers, barrier function, signal transduction, cytopathic effects of viral infections, cytotoxicity, cell proliferation, and more.

In addition to measuring simple impedance, the ECIS Zθ system allows the user to measure complex impedance and report its constituent components of resistance and capacitance over a spectrum of frequencies.  

“Having complex impedance measurements, coupled with impedance spectroscopy, offers researchers the ability to probe cell attributes in ways that provide a rich understanding of cell behavior.”  stated Dr. Giaever, Nobel Laureate and President of Applied BioPhysics

The new ECIS Z and ECIS Zθ now have the ability to interface with both 16 and 96 wells stations providing significant cost savings when one wishes to either increase throughput for screening research or carry out studies requiring fewer wells.  

Both ECIS Z and ECIS Zθ systems consists of a system controller, 16 and/or 96 well station options, laptop or desktop computer (PC or Mac), and integrated software based on Matlab and featuring an easy to use graphical interface.  Both systems can be equipped with a flow system for specialized endothelial cell application as well as with the popular elevated field module to carry out automated wound-healing/migration and electroporation experiments.

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Applied BioPhysics manufactures instrumentation for non-invasive measurement of cells. The technology is used in cancer research, drug development, biological threat detection, and toxicology testing (as an alternative to using animals).