A microfluidic biosensor array for endothelial and cancer cell co-culture interaction studies

Understanding the interaction between cancer and endothelial cells is a key element to more effective chemotherapeutics. A microfluidic cellular co-culture biosensor capable of simultaneous optical and electrical impedance measurements is therefore proposed. Using micro-fabrication methods, an array of optically thin electrically conductive biosensors is designed capable of monitoring cancer and endothelial cell interactions. Computer aided design methods were used to layout out a microfluidic channel compatible with the working bio-electrode array. The microfluidic channel allowed cancer cell spheroids and pharmaceutical agents to be injected into an inlet port. Both the optical and electrical properties of the micro-fluidic device have been examined. The proposed system has a number of applications where cancer and endothelial cell interactions need to be studied. The results of this study demonstrate the feasibility of the multiplexed biosensor for studying cancer and endothelial cell interactions under static and dynamic shear flow conditions.