Applied Biophysics provides instruments and specialized 16 and 96well microplates to detect virus-induced morphological changes quantitatively and in real-time using an impedance-based electrical measurement.
Cells are seeded and grown to confluence upon gold electrodes located on the base of each well of the microplate. The formation of a confluent monolayer is verified using impedance measurements converted into a graphical format in the ECIS® software, and the cultures are then infected.
Following the latent period associated with the infection, one begins to see changes in the impedance associated with viral-induced cytopathic activities. Recording the impedance data over a range of AC frequencies allows one to discern different morphological alterations including cell rounding, loss of barrier function, the formation of syncytia, and cell detachment from the substrate. Based on these responses, researchers can begin to explore the effect of different experimental conditions, such as the addition of potential therapeutic compounds.
The Electric ...
