Distinguishing the viability of a single yeast cell with an ultra-sensitive radio frequency sensor.

We propose and demonstrate a simple, ultra sensitive radio frequency (RF) sensor to detect a single yeast cell and distinguish its viability in a microfluidic channel. On-chip interference is used to cancel background probing signals to improve sensor sensitivity. Individual viable and nonviable yeast cells (approximately 5.83 +/- 0.85 microm in diameter) are measured with clear sensing and identification of these cells.