Open AccessSynchronized, Spontaneous, and Oscillatory Detachment of Eukaryotic Cells: A New Tool for Cell Characterization and Identification
Author(s) -
Yongabi Derick,
Khorshid Mehran,
LosadaPérez Patricia,
Bakhshi Sichani Soroush,
Jooken Stijn,
Stilman Wouter,
Theßeling Florian,
Martens Tobie,
Van Thillo Toon,
Verstrepen Kevin,
Dedecker Peter,
Vanden Berghe Pieter,
Lettinga Minne Paul,
Bartic Carmen,
Lieberzeit Peter,
Schöning Michael J.,
Thoelen Ronald,
Fransen Marc,
Wübbenhorst Michael,
Wagner Patrick
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.202200459
Subject(s) - cell , identification (biology) , cell type , yeast , characterization (materials science) , receptor , computational biology , cancer cell , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , nutrient sensing , biophysics , biological system , chemistry , nanotechnology , cancer , materials science , biochemistry , signal transduction , genetics , botany
Despite the importance of cell characterization and identification for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, developing fast and label‐free methods without (bio)‐chemical markers or surface‐engineered receptors remains challenging. Here, we exploit the natural cellular response to mild thermal stimuli and propose a label‐ and receptor‐free method for fast and facile cell characterization. Cell suspensions in a dedicated sensor are exposed to a temperature gradient, which stimulates synchronized and spontaneous cell‐detachment with sharply defined time‐patterns, a phenomenon unknown from literature. These patterns depend on metabolic activity (controlled through temperature, nutrients, and drugs) and provide a library of cell‐type‐specific indicators, allowing to distinguish several yeast strains as well as cancer cells. Under specific conditions, synchronized glycolytic‐type oscillations are observed during detachment of mammalian and yeast‐cell ensembles, providing additional cell‐specific signatures. These findings suggest potential applications for cell viability analysis and for assessing the collective response of cancer cells to drugs.