Measure Live Cells in Real-Time and Label-Free with MP-SPR

Multi-Parametric Surface Plasmon Resonance (MP-SPR) offers a groundbreaking approach to studying live cells in real time without the need for labels. This technology preserves the biological complexity of living cells, enabling researchers to capture biologically relevant responses under physiologically meaningful conditions.

Real-Time Insights into Living Models

Live cell-based assays are invaluable across diverse fields such as:

• Drug development
• Regenerative medicine
• Point-of-care diagnostics
• Biosensor development
• Immunity and cancer research

Since its first applications in 2013, MP-SPR has rapidly become an essential tool for investigating living cells. It has been instrumental in elucidating:

• Nanoparticle uptake kinetics
• Drug absorption pathways
• G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) activation profiles

MP-SPR’s unique ability to measure complete SPR curves at multiple wavelengths allows researchers to gain thorough and highly accurate insights into cellular interactions and dynamic processes, pushing the boundaries of cell biology research.

Cells Grown Directly on Sensor Surfaces

Using standard cell culture protocols, cells are grown directly on the sensor surface. When analytes such as nanoparticles or drug compounds flow over the cells, MP-SPR detects real-time cellular responses, enabling detailed analysis of:

• Adsorption routes of pharmaceutical compounds
• Optimization of nanoparticles for drug delivery
• Determination of half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) in live cells
• Mechanisms of nanoparticle or virus entry into cells

Our customers have successfully conducted live cell-based assays using analytes ranging from small molecules, hormones, and proteins to inorganic nanoparticles, liposomes, and extracellular vesicles.

Live Cells Injected Over Modified Sensor Surfaces

In this approach, live cells suspended in liquid media flow over sensor surfaces coated with materials such as lipid membranes or surface-bound receptors. This method supports binding and adhesion studies, providing critical data on:

• Cellular affinity to specific surface receptors (e.g., peptides)
• Kinetic profiles of cell attachment to coatings
• Dissociation rates of bound cells
• Surface specificity of various cell populations
• Evaluation of antifouling or antimicrobial surface properties

MP-SPR has been successfully applied to study cells and bacteria on surfaces functionalized with hydroxyapatite, lipid membranes, polymers, and various ligands including peptides, antibodies, and protein complexes.

Why Choose MP-SPR for Live Cell Studies?

• Compatible with a broad range of live cells, including HeLa, Jurkat, A431, E. coli, and co-cultures
• Enables label-free, real-time monitoring of binding and adhesion events
• Provides an extended dataset from cellular responses beyond traditional SPR methods
• Offers a wide selection of customizable sensor substrates for diverse applications
• Maintains physiologically relevant conditions such as temperature and shear stress during measurements
• Can be combined with electrochemical methods for multifaceted analysis

MP-SPR technology revolutionizes the study of live cells by offering deep insights into cellular behavior with high temporal and spatial resolution—all without the need for labels or invasive techniques. This makes it an indispensable tool for cutting-edge research in biomedical sciences and beyond.