Electrochemical Device with Interdigitated Ring Array Electrodes for Investigating the Relationship between Cardiomyocyte Differentiation from Embryonic Stem Cells and Alkaline Phosphatase Activity

Abstract

A local redox cycling-based electrochemical (LRC-EC) chip device was used to investigate the relationship between cardiomyocyte differentiation from embryonic stem (ES) cells and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. In the LRC-EC chip device, ring-type interdigitated array electrodes were incorporated at n × n measurement points with only 2n bonding pads for external connection. Microwells were also fabricated at each measurement point to trap cell aggregates. To differentiate ES cells into cardiomyocytes, ES cells were three-dimensionally cultured to form simple and cystic embryoid bodies (EBs). ALP activity of these EBs was then detected using the LRC-EC chip device. The electrochemical responses for ALP activity decreased concurrently with the differentiation of ES cells into cardiomyocytes, indicating that an LRC-EC chip device is useful for evaluating cell differentiation.