Plant Cell-on-Chip (PCOC): Exploring the Electrical Modulation Capability of Plant Cells

Abstract

The intrinsic properties of plants offer numerous opportunities for scientific and technological advancement. Considerable efforts have been directed toward developing plant-on-chip platforms to investigate cellular responses to external stimuli, including chemical, mechanical, and electrical cues. In this study, we present a fluidic platform using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and a printed circuit board (PCB), integrated with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) detection. Various experimental conditions were examined, including ionic and pH stimulation, as well as membrane dimensions, with the onion inner membrane treated as a black-box system. The measurement results are presented as Nyquist plots, and a resistance model incorporating multifactorial influences is proposed. Impedance variations in plant cells serve as a basis for electrical modulation. To explore these properties, we converted acoustic signals into electrical inputs and recorded the outputs after being modulated by onion inner epidermal cells. A transfer function analysis was subsequently performed. Our results indicate that the plant cell-on-chip (PCOC) platform holds promise for further investigations into plant cell properties. The impedance results suggest that plant cells can respond to different external stimuli, enabling modulation of the electrical properties. These findings lay the groundwork for future studies on cellular electrical characteristics and the development of preliminary bioelectrical circuits.