Abstract
Cellular secretion is a dynamic process that is essential to numerous physiological, pathological, and therapeutic processes, including phenomena related to signalling and drugs. Conventional methods to study the secretome (the collection of compounds secreted by a cell) give only end-point values, and there remains a critical need for ultra-sensitive and real-time monitoring of changes in the secretome in response to external stimuli. Here, we propose a path forward: For the fast, kinetic sensing of small molecules, we propose laser-based sensors, using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) in combination with zwitterionic, nanopatterned polymer-brush films on the sensor to provide tailored cell adhesion and tuneable permeability. For the real-time monitoring of larger molecules in the secretome, we propose antibody-based fast sensors. These concepts will be demonstrated via monitoring drug- and interferon-related changes in the secretome of hepatocytes, using laser-based sensors for small molecules and fast antibody-based sensors for macromolecules.