Development of highly sensitive biological barrier evaluation method using cellular pH perturbation phenomenon and field-effect transistor

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K12776
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 90110:Biomedical engineering-related
• Research Institution: Toyo University (2020-2021); Tokyo Medical and Dental University (2019)
• Principal Investigator: Goda Tatsuro 東洋大学, 理工学部, 教授 (20588347)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: pH摂動 / タイトジャンクション / 上皮バリア / 生体バリア透過 / 高分子ナノキャリア / バイオトランジスタ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Evaluation of barrier properties existing in the living body such as cell membranes and epithelial tight junction (TJ) is an important research subject such as physiological functions and development of biomedical engineering nanomaterials. A new technology that allows non-invasive, real-time, multi-parallel, sensitive, and real-time measurements is required to overcome issues of existing assays for biomembrane injuries and tight junction breaches. In this study, we have recently succeeded in developing an original method that can evaluate biological barrier properties with sensitivity and selectivity that cannot be achieved by conventional methods, using induced pH perturbations. In the future, the new assay developed can be applied both in life science and biomedical engineering.

Free Research Field

生体医工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

細胞膜やTJといった生体バリア評価の重要性は増しつつある。本研究では、細胞膜障害性やTJ破綻の評価に原理証明実験に取り組み、pH摂動法が真に有効な技術であることを検証できた。今後、本測定系は、がん浸潤・転移時の組織透過性の非侵襲計測といった基礎学問と、TJ標的型新規薬剤開発の促進や高スループット薬剤スクリーニング、高効率かつ安全なドラッグデリバリーナノキャリアの開発といった産業応用双方の観点から、数多くの波及効果が期待される。