A Flexible Terahertz Metamaterial Biosensor for Cancer Cell Growth and Migration Detection

Abstract

Metamaterial biosensors have been extensively used to identify cell types and detect concentrations of tumor biomarkers. However, the methods for in situ and non-destruction measurement of cell migration, which plays a key role in tumor progression and metastasis, are highly desirable. Therefore, a flexible terahertz metamaterial biosensor based on parylene C substrate was proposed for label-free and non-destructive detection of breast cancer cell growth and migration. The maximum resonance peak frequency shift achieved 183.2 GHz when breast cancer cell MDA−MB−231 was cultured onto the surface of the metamaterial biosensor for 72 h. A designed polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) barrier sheet was applied to detect the cell growth rate which was quantified as 14.9 µm/h. The experimental peak shift expressed a linear relationship with the covered area and a quadratic relationship with the distance, which was consistent with simulation results. Additionally, the cell migration indicated that the transform growth factor-β (TGF-β) promoted the cancer cell migration. The terahertz metamaterial biosensor shows great potential for the investigation of cell biology in the future.

Ultra-sensitive terahertz metamaterials biosensor based on luxuriant gaps structure

“…At last, the bacteria film is finally formed. In some reports, cells are cultured on the surface of metamaterial, 12 , 13 , 14 , 16 , 27 , 38 , 39 this method will cost a long time to culture cells, and the concentration is not accurate, also the water in cells will affect the measurement results. However, in our method, in the measurement the water effect can be eliminated, the detection time will shorten and the concentration is accurate.…”

Application of Biosensors in Detecting Breast Cancer Metastasis

“…However, non-invasive in situ measurement methods for cell migration, which plays a crucial role in tumor progression and metastasis, are valuable for research. Fang et al [86] developed a flexible terahertz metamaterial biosensor based on a polyethylene terephthalate substrate for the label-free and non-destructive detection of breast cancer cell growth and migration (Table 4). The biosensor monitored the growth behavior of breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231 by introducing a PDMS barrier sheet as a "wound".…”

HFM-Tracker: a cell tracking algorithm based on hybrid feature matching

“…4 For example, the directional migration of tumour cells during metastasis is one of the leading causes of cancerrelated deaths. 5,6 During metastasis, tumour cells detach from the primary tumour, migrate and transport through vessels and survive anoikis, and ultimately form the secondary sites, resulting in severe organ failure. Both cell movements and alterations in cell shapes are greatly involved in these complex cellular processes.…”