ECIS System

A morphological biosensor used to measure cell behavior which employs a label-free, non-invasive method to electronically monitor cells grown in tissue culture

Non-invasive cell-based assays in culture medium
Measurement of changes in cell morphology
Multiple, real-time measurements

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Cat. No.	Description	Pcs./Box
71616	ECIS Model Z: ECIS Model Z station controller; Elevated Field Module (i.e., a pulse system for automated wound healing or electroporation studies); software for data gathering and analysis, including model calculations; laptop	1
71617	ECIS Model Z Theta: ECIS Model Z Theta station controller; Elevated Field Module (i.e., a pulse system for automated wound healing or electroporation studies); software for data gathering and analysis, including model calculations; laptop	1
71612	16 well station: 2 slots for ECIS Cultureware 8 well array holders, and a data processing station	1
71614	96 well station: A 96 well holder and a data processing station	1
71001	ECIS Flow Module perfusion system for ECIS flow arrays, ideal for defined flow rates and shear stress studies of endothelial cells	1

The ECIS method represents a non-invasive approach to monitor living cells in vitro. It measures the change in impedance of a small electrode over time.

In this system, cells are grown on small gold film electrodes carrying very weak AC signals. As cells attach and spread on these electrodes, their insulating membranes block and constrain the current flow, resulting in measured variations in the electrode impedance. Any changes in the environment, leading to morphological changes of the cell, alter the current paths and can be readily detected by the instrumentation. These changes may be due to the addition of compounds, changes in the physical environment (for example perfusion, transfection events, viral infections, and the addition of other cells).

Cells grown on an ECIS electrode

Basic Principle of ECIS Measurement

The ECIS system gathers continuous real-time measurements without the need for any labels. Furthermore, since the weak AC currents used during measurement have no effect upon the cells, this method is totally non-invasive.

There are two major systems: The ECIS Model Z and the ECIS Model Zθ (theta). The ECIS Model Z system monitors the impedance of small 250-micrometer diameter electrodes used as substrates for cell growth. The ECIS Model Zθ system interprets complex impedance as both resistance and capacitance, and can report these values as well as simple impedance. This data can then be further refined using a model that provides information on the barrier function of cell layers (R_b), the spacing beneath the cells (α), and capacitance of the cell membrane (C_m).

Both systems are available with either a 2 x 8 well or a 96 well array station that is ideal for high throughput applications. The array stations are hosted in an incubator so that cells are kept under ideal cultivation conditions at all times.

Specifications for ECIS Z and ECIS Zθ

See: ECIS Instrument Selection Guide

ECIS Cultureware

The ECIS Cultureware consists of disposable electrode arrays containing gold film electrodes. Click here to learn more about the various types of ECIS Cultureware.

For further information please contact us.

For more than 800 scientific publications using the ECIS technology please visit www.biophysics.com.