Cancer cell culture medium identification by super hydrophobic properties of organic electrochemical biosensor

Conductive polymers demonstrate their ability as biosensor devices in Organic Electrochemical Transistors architecture. With sensible dependence in ions size1 , similar devices break down if challenged with complex mixtures, due to the lack of spatial resolution. Here, we modified a conductive PEDOT:PSS polymer to include extra non-continuous scales in the device. Superhydrophobic SU8 pillars positioned on the substrate to form a non-periodic square lattice2 , allow increased super hydrophobic properties. Then a finite number of micro-electrodes produces a multiple local detection3 . The sample solution on device surface maintains a spherical shape. Main Marangoni convective flows could develop in the solution drop. The competition between convection and diffusion will cause a spatial separation of biological species, depending on the size and charge. Here we analyze the "waste deposit" of cell culture medium upon interaction with circulating cell isolated form peripheral blood sampling of health, sub-clinical and colon cancer patients. The analysis of culture medium, as an accessible source of biological markers, focuses on the concentration of positive ions. Understanding the cells metabolism, is a crucial topic to be useful for cancer early detection. Here, we demonstrate a super-hydrophobic organic electrochemical device may measure cell culture, showing significative differences between tumor and non-tumour patients. This assay could impact on cancer risk management, individual's diagnosis and/or help clarify risk in healthy populations