DROPLET-BASED MONITORING OF BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES

摘要

A method and apparatus for electrically monitoring a time-varying liquid droplet whose conductivity is continuously modulated by osmoregulation response of cells. According to the method, the droplet impedance or conductance is monitored over time as the droplet shrinks due to evaporation. The monitoring data is then compared to calibration data which is obtained by monitoring a reference droplet. The result of the comparison is then used to determine the concentration of viable (live) biological material contained in the droplet.

主权项

1. A method of determining a concentration of a biological material in a liquid sample, comprising:
electrically monitoring a liquid droplet whose conductivity is modulated over time by osmoregulation response of cells contained within the droplet to determine monitoring data, wherein said osmoregulation response is stimulated by evaporation of the droplet over time; and comparing the monitoring data to calibration data in order to determine the concentration of the cells.