A major challenge in current biomedicine is understanding how cells communicate with each other. Researchers in the Microfluidics Cluster UPV/EHU of the EHU-University of the Basque Country have taken a significant step in that direction, thanks to the development of technology that, for the first time, makes it possible to interact with cells and simultaneously measure their response inside their immediate environment.

The study was led by the Ikerbasque Research Professor Lourdes Basabe, head of the Microfluidics Cluster UPV/EHU, and the experimental development was led by Dr Enrique Azuaje. The work is entitled ‘Analyzing the Relationship between Solid-Phase Molecular Presentation and Cell Proliferation, Morphology and Secretion Using CellStudio’ and appeared recently in the scientific journal ‘ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces’, besides being selected to feature on one of its cover pages, in recognition of its scientific and visual significance.

The technology, known as CellStudio, is based on the use of tiny microbeads that arrange themselves around the cells, creating a highly controlled environment. Some of these microbeads act as “carriers”, presenting specific signals to the cells, while others function as “sensors”, capturing the molecules released by the cells in response.

That way, the system enables not only cells to be stimulated in a localized way, but also what they secrete and how they react to be detected, all within the same space and at the same time. This capability provides a much more accurate insight into cell-cell communication, which is key to processes such as tissue regeneration or the development of diseases such as cancer.

“We set out to create a tool that would not only allow us to observe the cells, but also to interact with them and understand their response in real time. This work shows that it can be done in a simple and accessible way,” explained Lourdes Basabe.

Versatility is one of the platform’s key features. By being able to combine different types of microbeads, the researchers can design customised experimental setups and easily adapt the study conditions.

What is more, CellStudio was designed to make it compatible with standard techniques used in biology laboratories, so it is easy to implement without any need for complex or expensive equipment.

The potential of this technology has led to the filing of two international patents relating to its manufacture and application, a key step towards facilitating its future transfer to clinical and industrial settings.

Additional information

The Microfluidics Cluster UPV/EHU is a consolidated research group on the Álava Campus; it is recognized by the Basque Government and is the outcome of strategic collaboration between research teams working on micro- and nanotechnologies for applications of the lab-on-a-chip type. Its work focuses on applied and translational research, combining microfluidics, sensors and actuators to develop integrated microsystems with applications in biomedical diagnostics, environmental analysis, chemistry, sports science, biology and medicine.

The lead author of the work is Dr Enrique Azuaje, who conducted this research in the framework of his PhD thesis in the Microfluidics Cluster of the EHU-University of the Basque Country. His thesis was awarded the EHU’s Special Doctoral Prize. Right now, thanks to a post-doctoral fellowship from the Basque Government, Dr Azuaje is pursuing his research career dividing his time between Trinity College Dublin and the Microfluidics Cluster UPV/EHU, thus building an international reputation in the fields of microfluidics and bioengineering.

The experimental work was also conducted by PhD student Naiara Lartitegui-Meneses, who is working to expand this technology to new biological scenarios, thereby ensuring the project’s continuity and further development.

Although this study is a proof of concept, the team is already working to develop new applications. The capacity to analyse precisely how cells respond to different stimuli opens the door to advances in fields such as regenerative medicine, cancer research and the development of new drugs.