Label-free sensing for Organ-on-Chip & Assays
Real-time, non-invasive impedance readouts for organ-on-chip, TEER barrier models, ECIS cell assays and lab-on-chip diagnostics — without dyes, labels or end-point compromise.
- TEER
- ECIS
- EIS
- Multichannel
- Organ-on-chip
- Custom adapters
Which situation fits your project best?
Every workflow starts somewhere different. Pick the scenario that matches what you’re trying to do — we’ll route you to the right hardware, adapter and reference design.
We already have a biochip or assay format in mind
You know the chip format, electrode layout, or TEER plate you want to use. You need measurement hardware that connects cleanly, scales beyond single wells, and produces a stable, comparable readout.
We're early — we just need to see if it works
You want a first feasibility setup to confirm that an electrical readout makes sense for your assay before committing to a platform. Quick to set up, easy to interpret, no full custom build.
We need to scale beyond manual measurements
Feasibility worked, but more channels, automation, and reproducibility are the next bottleneck. You need multichannel, multiplexed, or semi-parallel measurement architectures.
We're building a product around the readout
You need impedance measurement as a core function inside your own instrument — under your brand, integrated into your software, and validated for routine workflows.
Not sure which fits? Talk to an engineer — we’ll map your assay to the right hardware in one call.
Stop guessing between endpoints.
Start monitoring continuously.
Most cell assays force a tradeoff: staining destroys the sample, dilution disturbs it, and endpoint readouts collapse hours of biology into a single number. Impedance gives you a continuous, label-free signal in the same well — capturing dynamics that endpoint assays miss entirely.
Label-free
No dyes, no stains. The sample stays alive and intact for downstream analysis.
Non-invasive
Low-amplitude AC signals do not perturb cells. Measure repeatedly over hours or days.
Real-time
Continuous monitoring captures dynamics: barrier formation, attachment, response onset.
High throughput
Scale from single wells to multi-electrode arrays without changing the assay logic.
How EIS translates biology into data
The utility of impedance spectroscopy lies in scanning across a wide range of frequencies. Different biological structures respond to different frequencies, giving you a comprehensive “fingerprint” of your culture.
Low Frequencies
Current flows primarily around the cells, through the extracellular matrix and tight junctions. This is ideal for measuring Barrier Integrity (TEER) in epithelial or endothelial layers.
Application: TEER Monitoring
In Organ-on-Chip models involving gut, lung, or blood-brain-barrier (BBB) tissues, tracking the tightness of the cellular layer is critical. A drop in low-frequency impedance often signals barrier disruption due to a toxic compound.
High Frequencies
Current flows primarily around the cells, through the extracellular matrix and tight junctions. This is ideal for measuring Barrier Integrity (TEER) in epithelial or endothelial layers.
Application: Cell Viability & 3D Spheroids
Monitoring the high-frequency spectrum provides data on cell volume, viability, and internal morphology changes. This is particularly useful for 3D cell cultures and tumor spheroids where standard optical imaging fails to penetrate tissue depth.
Scalable TEER readout for Mimetas OrganoTEER®
Mimetas had already established its OrganoPlate® technology as a powerful organ-on-chip platform. The next challenge was making electrical barrier readout faster, easier to handle, and scalable enough for routine use.
Challenge
Scalable TEER readout had to become compatible with the existing organ-on-chip workflow instead of remaining a bulky external measurement add-on.
Sciospec role
Sciospec contributed the measurement electronics, interfaces, and integration expertise needed to turn impedance-based readout into a compact, multichannel platform solution.
Result
The readout became part of the platform logic, supporting broader adoption of functional, label-free barrier integrity measurements.
Why it matters
This is the kind of role Sciospec is built for: providing the measurement core behind scalable bioanalytical platforms, often under the partner's own brand.
Software Dashboard
From raw impedance signals to scalable biological readouts
For teams evaluating organ-on-chip, TEER, impedance, or sensorized cell-based platforms, the visible output may be simple. The measurement architecture behind it is not. This section explains the technical factors that influence whether an electrical readout becomes stable, interpretable, scalable, and useful in real workflows.
Covers: Electrode architecture & frequency strategy · Integrated electrical measurement architectures · Scaling readouts from feasibility to OEM platforms
A useful biological readout is not just a measured signal. It is the result of electrode design, frequency strategy, environmental control, data processing, channel architecture, and workflow integration working together.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions from researchers transitioning to electrical impedance readouts.
What is the difference between TEER and ECIS?
TEER (Trans-Epithelial/Endothelial Electrical Resistance) measures the resistance of a confluent cell barrier — typically at low frequencies — to quantify barrier integrity. ECIS (Electric Cell-substrate Impedance Sensing) measures complex impedance across a frequency sweep on micro-electrodes underneath the cells, reporting on attachment, spreading, proliferation and morphology in addition to barrier function.
Do I need special consumables or specific well plates?
No. Sciospec instruments work with a wide range of commercially available TEER chambers, ECIS arrays, MEA chips and microfluidic organ-on-chip plates. Our adapter family (MEArack, ECISadapter and custom interfaces) makes it possible to use your existing chip format without switching consumables.
Can impedance spectroscopy replace my optical assays?
Often it complements them rather than replacing them. Impedance gives you continuous, label-free dynamics that optical endpoint assays miss, while optical methods still resolve spatial detail. Many labs run both in parallel and gain new information from the combined readout.
Discuss Your Assay Format
Whether you use standard transwell inserts, custom microfluidic chips, or complex multi-organ platforms — our application engineers can help you integrate impedance monitoring.
Get in touch with us
Phone
Headquarters
Sciospec Scientific Instruments GmbH
Leipziger Str. 43b
04828 Bennewitz, Germany
Open in Google Maps