Advanced multi-modal, multi-analyte optochemical sensing platform for cell analysis

Cell analysis by optochemical sensing represents large and important niche in life and biomedical sciences. We present advanced multi-modal, multi-analyte sensing platform and dedicated materials for cell analysis based on the substituted phosphorescent Pt(II)- or Pd(II)-porphyrin indicator dyes bearing dual O2 and pH sensing functionality (MePor-SB). The study includes screening of the different host matrices for the sensor, synthesis and evaluation of new MePor-SB derivatives with altered protonation behaviour, development of the ratiometric version of the pH sensor, assessment of photoluminescent signal enhancement options, deposition of sensor coatings on common cell analysis substrates and their demonstration of sensor performance in Oxygen Consumption Rate (OCR) and Extracellular Acidification (ECA) measurements with relevant cell models. The main outcomes include the elaboration of the structure-function relationships for this biosensor system, development of the self-referenced tandem O2/pH and OCR/ECA sensing system which enables calibration-free operation, demonstration of the sensor operation on common plastic substrates in cell analysis, benchmarking against the existing platforms and real-life experiments with cells. This new sensing platform shows potential for wide practical use. [Display omitted] •An advanced multi-modal, multi-analyte optochemical sensing platform for cell analysis is described.•It uses dedicated phosphorescent porphyrin dyes and sensor coatings with dual O2 and pH sensing functionality.•The sensors provide self-referencing, quantitative readout of O2 concentration and pH.•It allows simultaneous high-throughput analysis of oxygen consumption and extracellular acidification rates in cultured cells.