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High sensitivity, capable of measuring oxygen consumption down to a single cell level, measurements can be accomplished in minutes.
About
What is the problem? It is currently impossible to monitor O2 metabolism down to a single cell. Current oxygen demand measurements systems can lack sensitivity and are not biocompatible. Some are expensive and do not operate in real time. Our new Solution? A biocompatible oxygen demand assay (BOAD) utilising the unique behaviour of ferrocene carboxylic acid (FcA). Benefits of the new technology High sensitivity, capable of measuring oxygen consumption down to a single cell level, measurements can be accomplished in minutes, outperforms the current commercially available 5-days BOAD assays. Background The ability to monitor metabolism down to a single cell in a low cost easy to use rapid assay is yet to be achieved. Our researchers have tackled this challenge and developed a real-time electrochemical mediator assay to enable assessment of cell numbers and chemical toxicity. This new biocompatible oxygen demand assay (BOAD) utilises the unique behaviour of ferrocene carboxylic acid (FcA). FcA shows distinctive catalytic properties for hydroxyl ion (OH−) reduction when compared to ferrocene methanol (FMeOH). A deeper insight into the chemistry controlling this behaviour has been gained and taken advantage of to develop a cellular aerobic respiration assay. FcA systems have been proven to detect, in real-time, the oxygen consumption of E. coli DH5-α. It has also been demonstrated that FcA-based BOAD assay is highly sensitive, capable of measuring oxygen consumption down to a single cell level, this can be accomplished in minutes, considerably outperforming the current commercially available 5-days BOAD assays. The developed assay is expected to have a significant impact in diverse fields and industries, ranging from environmental toxicology through to pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries.