An ultra-sensitive biosensor to investigate Random Telegraph Noise in human breast cancer cells

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in women worldwide and yet its pathophysiology is poorly understood. Although single-cell studies have highlighted the contribution of membrane depolarisation to the proliferation of breast cancer, dynamic signalling at a network level has not been extensively researched. It is urgent therefore to decode the intercellular signalling patterns linked to metastasis, particularly at a cell cohort level. This paper introduces a novel strategy for conducting such recordings on highly metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells, via an ultra-low noise biosensor based on a large electrode area which maximises the Helmholtz double-layer capacitance. The extracellular sensitivity of our biosensor allows, for the first time, the detection of pA level Random Telegraph Signal (RTS) noise superimposed with an omnipresent 1/f noise. The RTS noise is validated and modelled using a Markov chain. The analysis of slow cooperative potentials across the large area electrode suggests the involvement of cohort calcium signalling, and the 1/f noise analysis suggests a strong contribution of resting membrane noise. Overall, this work shows the potential of the new recording platform and statistical analysis for better understanding and predicting the underlying signalling mechanisms of metastatic breast cancer cells. In future, this platform could highlight the effects of compounds, or drugs, on the underlying activity of cancer cell cohorts in a clinical setting.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 5 Nov 2020
EventThe 1st International Electronic Conference on Biosensors -
Duration: 2 Nov 202017 Nov 2020
https://iecb2020.sciforum.net/

Conference

ConferenceThe 1st International Electronic Conference on Biosensors
Period2/11/2017/11/20
Internet address

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