Detection of photoresponse of cell culture medium by a:Si:H photodiode under blue light exposure

This work investigates the influence of blue light on cell culture medium that is crucial for developing a biosensor for tumor cells. To this aim, the cell culture medium, DMEM and Trypsin, and 50% solution of DMEM and Trypsin were posted on the surface of amorphous silicon photodiodes and the variation of their photocurrent as a function of time was recorded. Results show, dependently on DMEM and Trypsin concentration, a photocurrent degradation and its unexpected increase after the expected influence of the Steabler-Wronski effect. Based on this, it is possible to separate the responses of the part belonging to the photodiode from that belonging to the medium. This indicates that the blue light is effective in modifying the cell culture medium behavior. Therefore, we infer that the developed sensor will be a good choice for monitoring mammalian cells living in DMEM medium and their response to different treatments.