The Bionas® analyzing systemsdetect physiological parameters of living cells and tissue slices in a label-free and non-invasive assay. Cells are placed on a sensor chip and supplied with medium in a perfusion system. The multiparametric sensor chip continuously measures:
· the oxygen consumption
· the extracellular acidification
Both parameters determine the acute rates of the cellular energy metabolism thus providing essential information on the cellular status and the changes thereof in response to external stimuli
· the cell impedance
The cell impedance detects alterations in the cellular adhesion/confluence and morphology
The Bionas® analyzing system is available with 1, 2, 6 parallel Biomodules
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Long-term studies and regeneration
A perfusion system allows for parameter recordings over several days and makes it possible for the first time:
· to monitor cellular responses to drug exposure in long-term studies
· to estimate recovery afterwards for the same cell population
· to collect information on adaptation effects after repeated drug exposure
Bioenergetics + cell morphology
The parameter profiles consistently reflect drug induced responses of the acute cellular energy metabolism and corresponding alterations in cell morphology (cell-cell contacts, cell-matrix interactions, ligand binding to receptors).
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Fig. 1 AAP exposed primary human hepatocytes with remarkable changes in metabolic rates while cell impedance remains unaffected. After removal of AAP cells recovered completely. |
Fig. 2 Diclofenac caused responses in HepG2 cells showing non-linear changes in bioenergetics and cell impedance. These effects are irreversible. |