Evaluation of insect cell lines for use in in vitro biosensing

For many years, researchers have used parts of animals, tissues and cells to observe physical and chemical responses. Many areas of science and medicine have been studied using different species, tissue or cell types and the potential of biosensors based on cell lines is well known. Insect tissues are supposedly robust in this respect and could produce signals over extended periods of time withough the nessesity for temperature and environmental control.
The work demonstrates the steps towards the development of a novel biosensor using standardised insect cells lines to detect the presence of chemical substances. I have compared electrochemical signalling and imaging approaches. This approach is challenging, and here Ie report the progress in assessing insect cell line behaviour. I am currently evaluating cellular responses to defined substances by carrying out parallel cytotoxicity and electrophysiological assays.