We are developing a biosensing platform for detecting environmental toxins at concentrations below EPA permitted levels in drinking water. The platform consists of a 400�m wide PDMS microfluidic channel designed to harbor a monolayer of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).  The endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity in HUVEC significantly increases in the presence of bradykinin, whereas it decreases in the presence of an inhibitor or a toxin. An intracellular nitric oxide (NO)-dependent fluorescence indicator DAF-FM DA is used to form the fluorescent DAF-FM DA-NO adduct and confocal laser scanning microscopy is used to quantify the intensity of NO mediated intracellular fluorescence in response to stimulus bradykinin and nano-molar concentrations of mercury and cadmium salts, known industrial pollutants.  Using a microchip-based endothelial cell culture system for monitoring environmental toxins will significantly increase the efficiency of toxicity testing.

Endothelial cell culture system for monitoring environmental toxins

244th National Meeting (2012)

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