2011-03-18
Seminar March 28
Airborne Chemistry in Cell Biology by Professor Staffan Nilsson
Time: March 28 13:00h
Place: Kungsängen Research Centre (Lilla Ultuna), Entrance 6B, 2nd floor
This seminar deals with a new technique for chemical analysis based on the use of levitated drops (wall-less test tubes), suitable for the study of intra- and extra-cellular reactions at single or few cell level.
Abstract
New insights in biomedicine and related areas require the parallel development of new analytical methods. We have developed technique for chemical analysis based on the use of levitated drops (wall-less test tubes), suitable for the study of intra- and extra-cellular reactions at single or few cell level. Microenvironments suited for specific cell types and cell reactions can be created in levitated drops to serve as biomimetic systems.
Cell-containing 100-500 nL drops are levitated in an ultrasonic field. Cells and reagents are added to the drop using flow-through pL-dispensers, and the cell reactions are monitored. Described technique can be used to determine insulin resistance in connection with Type 2 diabetes and obesity. After exposure of the cells to drugs, activators or inhibitors, the cell response (or lack of response) is monitored using fluorescence imaging detection or other non-invasive detection methods.
We are currently developing experiments that allow us to compare the response of the adipocytes to the insulin produced by normal individuals and the glycated insulin produced by diabetic ones.
The airborne system combined with MS has been used to acquire data on single Langerhans islet and further on β-cell metabolism, at the single/few cells level, associated with stimulation using acetylcholine and increasing extra-cellular glucose concentration by droplet evaporation. The results obtained were in good agreement with known metabolism of islets and β-cells. In response to both acetylcholine and elevated glucose concentration, rapid insulin release was observed, together with other compounds, such as c-peptide or amylin. The low attomole detection limit shows again the potential of the method.