Characterisation of cell movement by impedance measurement on fibroblasts grown on perforated Si-membranes.

Mouse fibroblasts grown on perforated Si-membranes (pore diameter approximately 10 microns have been studied to clarify cell locomotive ability. The cell motility was microscopically monitored by a time-lapse video system and, simultaneously, the impedance of the growing cells was measured every 5 s. The correlations between observed cell activities and measured impedance events are discussed and classified. The method is sensitive and allows discrimination between signals arising from translocation of single cells and those arising from filopodia activities. Both cell and filopodia motion could be detected. Designs of microdevices fabricated in semiconductor technology are presented.