Atsushi Suda

LSI-based amperometric sensor for real-time monitoring of embryoid bodies

A large scale integration (LSI)-based amperometric sensor is used for electrochemical evaluation and real-time monitoring of the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of mouse embryoid bodies (EBs). EBs were prepared by the hanging drop culture of embryonic stem (ES) cells. The ALP activity of EBs with various sizes was electrochemically detected at 400 measurement points on a Bio-LSI chip. The electrochemical measurements revealed that the relative ALP activity was low for large EBs and decreased with progress of the differentiation level of the ES cells. The ALP activity of the EBs was successfully monitored in real time for 3.5h, and their ALP activity in a glucose-free buffer decreased after 2h. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the application of an LSI-based amperometric sensor for real-time cell monitoring over 3h. The chip is expected to be useful for the evaluation of cell activities.

Electrochemical Imaging of Dopamine Release from Three-Dimensional-Cultured PC12 Cells Using Large-Scale Integration-Based Amperometric Sensors

In the present study, we used a large-scale integration (LSI)-based amperometric sensor array system, designated Bio-LSI, to image dopamine release from three-dimensional (3D)-cultured PC12 cells (PC12 spheroids). The Bio-LSI device consists of 400 sensor electrodes with a pitch of 250 μm for rapid electrochemical imaging of large areas. PC12 spheroids were stimulated with K(+) to release dopamine. Poststimulation dopamine release from the PC12 spheroids was electrochemically imaged using the Bio-LSI device. Bio-LSI clearly showed the effects of the dopaminergic drugs l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) and reserpine on K(+)-stimulated dopamine release from PC12 spheroids. Our results demonstrate that dopamine release from PC12 spheroids can be monitored using the device, suggesting that the Bio-LSI is a promising tool for use in evaluating 3D-cultured dopaminergic cells and the effects of dopaminergic drugs. To the best of our knowledge, this report is the first to describe electrochemical imaging of dopamine release by PC12 spheroids using LSI-based amperometric sensors.

Optical hydrogen detection with periodic subwavelength palladium hole arrays

The extraordinary transmission of infrared light through subwavelength rectangular hole arrays of palladium is used to detect hydrogen. The main resonance peak of rectangular hole arrays is found to shift upon exposure to hydrogen. Experimental evidence of the change in the Pd phase, producing a shift toward longer wavelengths of the main resonance peak, is presented and supported by simulations that agree with experimental observation. The all-optical and selective detection scheme of hydrogen produces large peak shifts that enable the detection of hydrogen concentration near the lower flammability threshold in air.

Potentiometric bioimaging with a large-scale integration (LSI)-based electrochemical device for detection of enzyme activity

This paper describes potentiometric bioimaging for enzyme activity using a large-scale integration (LSI)-based electrochemical device with 400 sensors. Potentiometric detection is useful for bioimaging because redox species are not consumed or produced during the detection process; therefore, there is no effect on cell activity and the detectable signal is sustained. In this study, the potentiometer mode of the LSI-based device was applied for the detection of glucose oxidase (GOx) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. The enzyme activities were quantitatively detected within the concentration ranges of 25-250 μg/mL and 0.10-5.0 ng/mL. In addition, GOx activity in hydrogels and the ALP activity of embryoid bodies (EBs) from embryonic stem (ES) cells were successfully imaged based on detection of the open circuit potentials of individual sensors in real time. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of potentiometric imaging using LSI-based electrochemical arrays to detect enzyme activity in ES cells. The LSI-based device is thus demonstrated to be a promising tool for bioimaging of enzyme activity.

Electrochemicolor Imaging Using an LSI-Based Device for Multiplexed Cell Assays

Multiplexed bioimaging systems have triggered the development of effective assays, contributing new biological information. Although electrochemical imaging is beneficial for quantitative analysis in real time, monitoring multiple cell functions is difficult. We have developed a novel electrochemical imaging system, herein, using a large-scale integration (LSI)-based amperometric device for detecting multiple biomolecules simultaneously. This system is designated as an electrochemicolor imaging system in which the current signals from two different types of biomolecules are depicted as a multicolor electrochemical image. The mode-selectable function of the 400-electrode device enables the imaging system and two different potentials can be independently applied to the selected electrodes. The imaging system is successfully applied for detecting multiple cell functions of the embryonic stem (ES) cell and the rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cell aggregates. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a real-time electrochemical mapping technique for multiple electroactive species, simultaneously, has been reported. The imaging system is a promising bioanalytical method for exploring complex biological phenomena.

Simulation Analysis of Positional Relationship between Embryoid Bodies and Sensors on an LSI-based Amperometric Device for Electrochemical Imaging of Alkaline Phosphatase Activity.

In the present study, we monitored the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of embryoid bodies (EBs) of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells using a large-scale integration (LSI)-based amperometric device with 400 sensors and a pitch of 250 μm. In addition, a simulation analysis was performed to reveal the positional relationship between the EBs and the sensor electrodes toward more precise measurements. The study shows that simulation analysis can be applied for precise electrochemical imaging of three-dimensionally cultured cells by normalization of the current signals.

Electrochemical evaluation of sarcomeric α-actinin in embryoid bodies after gene silencing using an LSI-based amperometric sensor array

In the present study, gene analysis using siRNAs for cell differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells was performed using an LSI-based amperometric sensor array (Bio-LSI). CITED2 and WNT11 were silenced using siRNA, and then the effect of these genes on the differentiation of ES cells into cardiomyocytes was evaluated. For the evaluation, endogenous ALP activity and sarcomeric α-actinin were electrochemically detected using the Bio-LSI system. These results show the crucial role of these genes in determining the fate of differentiation of ES cells. These results also show that the Bio-LSI is a great tool for cell analysis.

Imaging of enzyme activity using bio‐LSI system enables simultaneous immunosensing of different analytes in multiple specimens

Electrochemical imaging is an excellent technique to characterize an activity of biomaterials, such as enzymes and cells. Large scale integration‐based amperometric sensor (Bio‐LSI) has been developed for the simultaneous and continuous detection of the concentration distribution of redox species generated by reactions of biomolecules. In this study, the Bio‐LSI system was demonstrated to be applicable for simultaneous detection of different anaytes in multiple specimens. The multiple specimens containing human immunoglobulin G (hIgG) and mouse IgG (mIgG) were introduced into each channel of the upper substrate across the antibody lines for hIgG and mIgG on the lower substrate. Hydrogen peroxide generated by the enzyme reaction of glucose oxidase captured at intersections was simultaneously detected by 400 microelectrodes of Bio‐LSI chip. The oxidation current increased with increasing the concentrations of hIgG, which can be detected in the range of 0.01–1.0 µg mL‐1. Simultaneous detection of hIgG and mIgG in multiple specimens was achieved by using line pattern of both antibodies. Therefore, the presence of different target molecules in the multiple samples would be quantitatively and simultaneously visualized as a current image by the Bio‐LSI system.