In vitro quantitative measurements and analyses of various intracellular parameters is becoming an important aspect in cell research. Comprehensive understanding of a single cell in response to its biological environment and stimuli is becoming the foundation of many biomedical research fields, including drug development, nanotoxicity study, biomarker discovery, cancer diagnosis and treatment, and many other areas. However, there is no such instrument currently available to perform comprehensive, quantitative measurement of various key parameters inside a cell simultaneously. This project aims to develop a novel multi-functional single-cell analyzer that integrates the capability of in vitro measurements of a number of important intracellular parameters. The new cell analyzer will address a number of critical issues in biomedical research such as cell necrosis and apoptosis, stem cell differentiation, and cancer cell biology.
Three specific aims are designed in this project, including: 1) Development of tapered-fiber microprobes and associated instrumentation for in situ measurement of intracellular pH, temperature, and Raman spectroscopy;2) Integration of tapered-fiber microsensors with morphology and structure monitoring capabilities to construct the single-cell analyzer;and 3) Evaluation and demonstration of the multi-functional single-cell analyzer using cytotoxicity of nanomaterials as an application model. The proposed novel single-cell analyzer is uniquely enabled by a number of key innovations embedded in this project. Assembly-free micro- and nano-size sensor probes will be designed and fabricated on the distal end of optical fiber tapers that can be directly inserted into a livin cell for in situ, quantitative measurement of various important parameters with high resolution. The innovative integration of these microsensors with microscopic imaging tools will allow comprehensive, systematic studies of the cell responses to the bio-environment and stimuli. The use of cytotoxicity of nanoparticles as an example to evaluate and demonstrate the basic functions of the single-cell analyzer will also provide valuable information for further performance enhancement, system optimization, and expansion of applications. The proposed research will be conducted by a multidisciplinary team consisting of three professors at Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T). All major equipment required for this project is available on Missouri S&T campus. The team members have complementing skills in biochemistry/bioanalysis, cytotoxicity of nanomaterials, optical micro/nano sensors and instrumentation, and analytical instrument design and implementation. The interdisciplinary project of life science, electrical engineering, and chemistry will foster strong collaborations among faculty and students in different fields, and strengthen the biomedical- related research and infrastructure at Missouri S&T.

Public Health Relevance

This proposed project will develop a novel multi-functional single-cell analyzer that integrates a number of key functions to satisfy th essential need for comprehensive study of cell biology and biomedical research. The new cell analyzer will address a number of critical issues in biomedical research such as cell necrosis and apoptosis, stem cell differentiation, and cancer cell biology. The functions of this proposed instrument include (1) single cell pH measurement;(2) single cell temperature measurement;(3) single cell Raman spectrum acquisition, and (4) single cell surface morphology monitoring. This represents our initial efforts to develop a comprehensive instrument platform for single-cell studies. We anticipate more functions (in both hardware and software) will be added to the instrument after the success of this project. The results of this study will directly benefit varios biomedical researches and clinical practices by providing a powerful technique for drug development, nanotoxicity study, biomarker discovery, cancer diagnosis and treatment, and many others.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21GM104696-02
Application #
8530258
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRR1-BT-7 (01))
Program Officer
Friedman, Fred K
Project Start
2012-09-01
Project End
2015-08-31
Budget Start
2013-09-01
Budget End
2014-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$182,632
Indirect Cost
$62,007
Name
Missouri University of Science & Technol
Department
Chemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
804883767
City
Rolla
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
65409
Chen, Sisi; Yang, Qingbo; Xiao, Hai et al. (2017) Local pH Monitoring of Small Cluster of Cells using a Fiber-Optic Dual-Core Micro-Probe. Sens Actuators B Chem 241:398-405
Yang, Qingbo; Wang, Hanzheng; Chen, Sisi et al. (2015) Fiber-Optic-Based Micro-Probe Using Hexagonal 1-in-6 Fiber Configuration for Intracellular Single-Cell pH Measurement. Anal Chem 87:7171-9
Yang, Qingbo; Wang, Hanzheng; Lan, Xinwei et al. (2015) Reflection-mode micro-spherical fiber-optic probes for in vitro real-time and single-cell level pH sensing. Sens Actuators B Chem 207:571-580
Lan, Xinwei; Cheng, Baokai; Yang, Qingbo et al. (2014) Reflection based Extraordinary Optical Transmission Fiber Optic Probe for Refractive Index Sensing. Sens Actuators B Chem 193:95-99