Page 459 - AWSAR 2.0

Rapid and Precise Electromechanical Diagnosis of Single Cells
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Mr. Karthik Mahesh*
Email: karthikm@iisc.ac.in
Historically, the diagnosis of human diseases has always relied on the quantification of certain biochemical
parameters to determine the extent of disease progression. For example, a patient is usually deemed to have high blood cholesterol levels based on the levels of low-density lipoproteins in their blood plasma. Similarly, patients with diabetes regularly monitor their blood glucose levels to keep their condition in check. Even the diagnosis of specific cancers requires the quantification of tumour markers in the bloodstream. Although these biochemical parameters are widely accepted in the diagnostic field, there is little to no understanding of what is actually happening at the cellular level. Understanding μm these cellular intricacies requires one to work at the
length scale of cells, typically 3–30 μm. Embarking on this endeavour is not a trivial task. Until recent years, manipulating single cells through miniaturization has remained a fantasy of science fiction movies (Fantastic Voyage, 1966) and pop culture (The Magic School Bus, 1994; Osmosis Jones, 2001). With the advancement of technology in the areas of polymers, photoresists and photolithography, miniaturization has well and truly arrived on a big stage. Without the progression of this critical technology, it would be virtually impossible to manipulate cells according to one’s whims and fancies. Using micro and nanofabrication techniques, we, at the Micro and Nano Fluidics Lab and the Complex Systems and Molecular Sensing Lab of the Indian Institute of Science, have developed a
* Mr. Karthik Mahesh, PhD Scholar from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, is pursuing his research on “Microfluidic Impedance Spectroscopy”. His popular science story entitled “Rapid and Precise Electromechanical Diagnosis of Single Cells” has been selected for AWSAR Award.