In vitro impedance spectroscopy: A MEA-based measurement bench for myoblasts cultures monitoring

Bioimpedance spectroscopy is a promising tool for non-invasive monitoring of tissue structure and fluids. With the objective of using it to assess muscle fatigue in vitro, we have developed a measurement bench allowing the monitoring of myoblasts cultures by bioimpedance measurements. This work presents the setup and its characterization, combining modeling and measurements. This setup relies on a microelectrodes array and a commercial impedance analyzer. Its characterization with Phosphate Buffered Saline is coherent with our simulation. The impedance increases at low frequencies after several cell cultures, due to a degradation of the microelectrode interface. Nevertheless, the measurement bench allows us to detect the presence of myoblasts covering the electrodes in a frequency range from 10 kHz to 100 kHz. The measurement bench is therefore suitable to explore the relative impedance variation as a signature of muscle fatigue.