Extra-Cellular Acidity Analyzer (ECAA) for cancer diagnosis

The Extra-Cellular Acidity Analyzer (ECAA) can measure extracellular acidity in the microenvironment of live cells in real time. Lactic acid production is the main contributor to extracellular acidification and is correlated to the rate of glycolysis. Due to abnormal metabolism and rapid growth, cancer cells are known to have high rate of glycolysis which results in higher extracellular acidity as compard to normal cells. To sense this basic difference between normal and cancer cells, we have developed a sensor to measure extracellular pH that can be used as an indirect tool to detect cancer. The extracellular acidity values of various cancer cell lines measured using ECAA match well with the values reported in literature using other methods.The sensor can also be used for evaluating efficacy of glycolysis inhibiting anti-cancer drugs for its application in screening of drug candidates.

 SALIENT FEATURES

• ECAA enables real-time monitoring of extracellular acidity (pHe) and helps in measuring alterations in glucose metabolism and glycolytic function.
• The sensor is ideal for measuring extracellular acidity (pHe) values in the range of 1 to 8 with a resolution of 0.02 units.

APPLICATIONS

• In medical diagnostics industry for cancer detection based on difference in extracellular acidity of cancer cells and normal cells.
• In pharmaceutical industry for evaluation of glycolysis inhibiting drugs.
• In basic research on cancer biology for monitoring effect of various treatments and external stimuli on cellular glycolysis etc.

Extra-Cellular Acidity Analyzer (ECAA) for cancer diagnosis

The Extra-Cellular Acidity Analyzer (ECAA) can measure extracellular acidity in the microenvironment of live cells in real time. Lactic acid production is the main contributor to extracellular acidification and is correlated to the rate of glycolysis. Due to abnormal metabolism and rapid growth, cancer cells are known to have high rate of glycolysis which results in higher extracellular acidity as compard to normal cells. To sense this basic difference between normal and cancer cells, we have developed a sensor to measure extracellular pH that can be used as an indirect tool to detect cancer. The extracellular acidity values of various cancer cell lines measured using ECAA match well with the values reported in literature using other methods.The sensor can also be used for evaluating efficacy of glycolysis inhibiting anti-cancer drugs for its application in screening of drug candidates.

SALIENT FEATURES

• ECAA enables real-time monitoring of extracellular acidity (pHe) and helps in measuring alterations in glucose metabolism and glycolytic function.
• Sensor amenable to modification based on type of application.
• Sensor fabrication involves simple process which can be easily scaled up for production.
• Indigenously developed technology. Similar product based on electrochemical method is not available in market.
  

SPECIFICATIONS

• The sensor is ideal for measuring extracellular acidity (pHe) values in the range of 1 to 8 and gives a resolution of 0.02 units.
• Sensor response reaches a steady-state value in 20 min upon addition of an aliquot of cells.
  

APPLICATIONS

• In medical diagnostics industry for cancer detection based on difference in extracellular acidity of cancer cells and normal cells.
• In pharmaceutical industry for evaluation of glycolysis inhibiting drugs
• In basic research on cancer biology for monitoring effect of various treatments and external stimuli on cellular glycolysis etc.

INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS

A. Raw Materials

• All the raw materials required are available in the local market.

B. Major Equipment for large scale production

• Physical vapor deposition system for contact metallization deposition system
• Potentiostat or electrochemical deposition system

C. Space

• Lab space of approximately 200 sq. ft. area is required to comfortably accommodate the process equipment such as physicalvapor deposition system, potentiostat, space for fabrication and assembling the sensor, calibration and testing the films, etc.

D. Power

• Three phase power connection.

F. Manpower

• One technician to carry out sensor fabrication, assembly and testing and one chemist/biologist to carry out calibration, testing of sensor films and quality control.