On the Feasibility of an In Vitro Noninvasive Absorbance-Based Cell Proliferation Analysis Technique, Using Cell Culture Media

ABSTRACT The preliminary results of a study on the applicability of using spectrophotometry of the culture medium toward understanding of cells' response to different environments is reported. The cells are cultivated on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates and physicochemically manipulated by varying the substrate stiffness and the dose of surface plasma treatment. By growing cervical cancer (HeLa) cells on PDMS with varying stiffness and plasma treatment levels, we tested the hypothesis that the influence of substrate stiffness and treatment can be detected through the spectrophotometry of a microvolume of cell culture medium. The results imply an opportunity of using the spectrophotometry of culture media with an integrated minimal sample retention system as a practical and noninvasive alternative to traditional bioassays requiring cells detachment.