Real‐Time Monitoring of Cellular Barrier Functionality with Dynamic‐Mode Current‐Driven Organic Electrochemical Transistor

Cellular barriers control fundamental physiological functions in animals and plants. Accurate detection of barrier dysfunction requires real-time monitoring. Organic electrochemical transistors are a promising bioelectronic platform to monitoring cellular barriers. However, current approaches are not ideally suited for direct and real-time measurements: they require off-line model-based data analysis or slow measurement operation to achieve equilibrium conditions. Herein, dynamic-mode current-driven organic electrochemical transistors are proposed for direct real-time monitoring of cellular barrier functionality. In contrast to current approaches, the organic electrochemical transistor is operated under nonequilibrium conditions. The approach shows a sensitivity larger than 350 × 10−6 V (Ω cm2)−1 with an operating range of 13–640 Ω cm2. The sensitivity can be optimized on-line by simply changing the dynamic conditions and real-time monitoring of reversible barrier functionality is demonstrated by using a tight-junction modulator with a concentration as-low-as 122 × 10−6 m. The theoretical foundation of the method is provided. The analysis shows the general applicability of the approach, opening opportunities for precision in vitro bioelectronics and medical diagnostic.