Science & innovation

Nanotechnology

Real- time cell measurements for nanoparticle safety testing

Through validation of a label-free, real time, cell electronic sensing system, LGC is able to measure changes in cell number following nanoparticle exposure. This technique enables continual analysis of the cells using electrical impedance measurements and provides quantitative information about the rates and mechanisms of toxicity which can be missed when using traditional assays.

This technology has enabled LGC to demonstrate reproducible toxicity measurements in a range of cell lines using a panel of nanoparticles with different chemical properties.

 

 

Unlike traditional toxicity assays, which were run as a direct comparison, the cell electronic sensing system was shown not to be susceptible to measurement interference by the nanoparticles allowing the relationship between toxic response in the cells and nanoparticle composition to be measured. Importantly, the real time capability has enabled LGC scientists to uncover unique biological responses that cells undergo immediately following nanoparticle exposure; these responses are missed in traditional assays. Validation of this technology opens up the real possibility of developing standardised high throughput testing regimes for nanotoxicity measurement.

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