Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Microsystems and Solid State Technologies EMFT
Lab for cell culture technology at Fraunhofer EMFT
Cell Culture Technology
The deployment of cell-based sensors and assays require competences and technologies in biological model systems, measurement technology and data analytics. Most of the sensors in focus of the developements utilize cell culture technologies for cultivating cells and tissue directly on physical signal transducers, thus enabling non-invasive and label-free readout methods. The interface between the cells and the sensor is especially important for the functionality of these systems, thoroughly analyzed for consequent problem-oriented customization.
For the development and deployment of cell-based sensors, the Fraunhofer EMFT site in Regensburg offers technological expertise in
- Biological model systems and their characterization
- Developement of electrochemical, piezoelectric and optical sensors for application on cells and tissue
- Compilation of biological profiles of action
Cultivation of animal cells and micro-organisms
| Cell lines, also genetically modified (S1) | Cell lines of various species: human, cow, ape, dog, rat, hamster, mouse |
| Established cell cultivation models of various tissues | Kidney, liver, lung, Aorta/blood vessels, skin, connective tissue, large intestine, ovaries, pancreas, breast, brain |
| 3D tissue models | Spheroid (hanging drop / liquid overlay) |
| Cell culture technologies | Class II work benches, cryoconservation, microscopy |
Microscopy
| Confocal laser scanning microscope (upright) with 3 laser lines | Documentation of the cell vitality (living/dead -test) as well as the cell structures/components |
| Epi-fluorescence microscope (invers) with microscope camera, additional transmitted light and phase contrast | Documentation of the cell morphology, cell vitality (living/dead -test) as well as cell components |
| Stereomicroscope with a microscope camera | Documentation of sensor layouts/material surfaces |
Thin film techniques / Photolithography
| Sputter Coater | Metallization/Sputtering of gold. Generation of simple electrode layouts (Gold/ITO) on glas/polymeres for prototypes and small batch production |
| UV-exposure unit | Exposure |
| Plasmalizer for argon/air | Sterilization, surface modification and functionalization |
Cell cultivation
| Plate reader | Readout of fluorescence, luminescence and absorbance on multi-wave plates |
| Impedance analyzer | Documentation of physiological parameters of cells (non-invasive, real-time): Adhesion and spread, proliferation, migration/wound healing, introduction of non-membrane-permeable substances via electroporation, cell barrier/permeability, cell death/acute toxicity |
| Microgravimetry (QCM) | Quantification of the cell adhesion energy (on various materials) as well as the cell stiffness (Zytomechanics) as shrinking/swelling during introduction of the substance |
| Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) | Optical determination of the cell adhesion and cell response to external stimuli based on the dynamic mass distribution in cells |
| Microphysiometry | Quantification of the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) of cells (cellular respiration), and the extracellular acidification rate (EAR) |
| Multi-channel microscope (24 Wells) | Documentation of cellphysiological parameters: adhesion, proliferation, migration/wound healing |
| Coupled sensor techniques (QCM + Impedancy) | Multimodal cell analysis |