Real-time impedance monitoring of 3D cell cultures

Two-dimensional cell cultures have been the gold standard for first trials of drug discovery and cell behaviour studies. However simple, there is increasing research showing that the cells behave different when grown on a flat surface. To overcome this gap in research, scientists have developed three-dimensional cell culture models. Even though this technique is becoming more popular with scientists there are not enough standardise sensors to know in real time what is happening with the cells. This thesis explores the use of impedance spectroscopy for monitoring these three dimensional culture models in real time; the technique measures the electrical properties of the cells to understand their health status. This thesis helped with the progress in the understanding of the electrical properties of these complex three-dimensional models.