Abstract: Described systems and methods allow the detection and quantitative estimation of changes in the properties of a liquid sample comprising living biological cells, the changes caused by exposure to a target analyte such as a toxin, drug, pesticide, etc. A variable stimulus such as an oscillating magnetic field is applied to the sample, inducing variations in a position or shape of a constituent of the sample. Such variations produce measurable variations in electric and/or optical properties of a sensor, variations which allow a precise quantification of changes due to exposure to the target analyte.

Abstract: Described systems and methods allow the detection and quantitation of a target analyte such as a toxin, drug, pesticide, etc. Some embodiments use a sensor comprising photo-sensitive cells, e.g., cells genetically modified to express an opsin. A light source such as an LED is used to optically stimulate the sensor cells, triggering changes in a measurable quantity such as the polarization of the cell membrane. Some embodiments use electrical impedance measurements to monitor the cell's recovery from the state induced by the optical stimulation. The recovery process is affected by the presence of certain bio-active compounds, which allows detection and quantitation of such compounds.

Abstract: Described systems and methods allow the detection and quantitative estimation of changes in the properties of a liquid sample comprising living biological cells, the changes caused by exposure to a target analyte such as a toxin, drug, pesticide, etc. A variable stimulus such as an oscillating magnetic field is applied to the sample, inducing variations in a position or shape of a constituent of the sample. Such variations produce measurable variations in electric and/or optical properties of a sensor, variations which allow a precise quantification of changes due to exposure to the target analyte.

Abstract: Described systems and methods allow the detection and quantitation of a target analyte such as a toxin, drug, pesticide, etc. Some embodiments use a sensor comprising photo-sensitive cells, e.g., cells genetically modified to express an opsin. A light source such as an LED is used to optically stimulate the sensor cells, triggering changes in a measurable quantity such as the polarization of the cell membrane. Some embodiments use electrical impedance measurements to monitor the cell's recovery from the state induced by the optical stimulation. The recovery process is affected by the presence of certain bio-active compounds, which allows detection and quantitation of such compounds.