H2O2 is an essential signaling molecule in living cells that can cause direct damage to lipids, proteins and DNA, resulting in cell membrane rupture. In particular, local H2O2 treatment induces cell membrane rupture, but the level of cell membrane destruction is unknown because the mechanical properties of the cell membrane are difficult to accurately determine. Therefore, it is highly desire to develop sensitive and label-free methods for measuring and reflecting mechanical changes in the cell membrane. Here, using an ultra-small quartz nanopipette with a tip diameter less than 90 nm as a nanosensor, label-free and noninvasive electrochemical single-cell measurement is achieved for real-time monitoring of cell membrane rupture under H2O2 treatment. The electrical signals are recorded and processed, which ultimately reveal the mechanical properties of the plasma membrane and the degree of cell apoptosis. This nanopipette-based nanosensor paves the way for developing a facile, label-free and noninvasive strategy to assay the mechanical properties of the cell membrane during external stimulation at the single-cell level.

Label-free electrochemical monitoring of plasma membrane rupture under H2O2 treatment using a 90-nm nanopipette

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.