Non-invasive Fluorescence Based Portable Sensor for Studying O2 Changes in Extracellular Metabolism

The measurement of cellular metabolism involves observation of multiple metabolites. Chemical reaction pathways which occur within the cell may be measured in the extracellular matrix. A fluorophore/polymer based portable sensor was developed which does not consume metabolites, is noninvasive, improves sensor measurements and may be used in standard 24-well plates. The sensor rapidly detects physiological changes without contaminating cell cultures with fluorescent dyes. The sensor uses an oxygen sensitive fluorophore, platinum octaethylporphyrin, embedded in a polymer matrix to measure extracellular O2 concentration changes in response to an external physiological antagonist. The sensor design was able to acquire real-time measurement of metabolite concentration changes in the extracellular matrix.