A groundbreaking study published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, led by MIT Research Scientist Weida (Richard) Wu and Professor Scott Manalis, reveals significant insights into cell density's role in cancer treatment.

This new method combines the suspended microchannel resonator (SMR) with a fluorescent microscope, streamlining the process for quicker volume measurements and enhancing throughput.

The researchers developed a rapid technique that allows for the measurement of cell density, capable of analyzing up to 30,000 cells in just one hour, providing crucial insights into cell health and developmental states.

Previously, the SMR measured cell density by calculating buoyant mass in two different fluids, a method that was slow and prompted the researchers to innovate for efficiency.

These changes in cell density can predict immune cell activation, such as whether T cells are primed to kill tumors or if tumor cells will respond to specific drugs.

The findings emphasize the potential of cell density as a biomarker for understanding immune responses and drug efficacy in cancer treatment.

The study found that during T cell activation, cell density decreases from an average of 1.08 to 1.06 grams per milliliter, indicating increased water content and suggesting that cell density could serve as a biomarker for T cell activation.

Moreover, the study indicates that variations in tumor cell density can accurately predict responses to cancer drugs, particularly in pancreatic cancer cells treated with different therapies.

Clinical-stage company Travera, co-founded by Manalis, is exploring the application of these density measurements to predict how T cells in cancer patients will respond to immunotherapy.

Combining mass and density measurements enhances prediction accuracy for immune cell competency, which is crucial for clinical decision-making in cancer therapies.

Manalis' lab is also investigating the use of cell mass and density measurements to evaluate cell fitness in producing therapeutic proteins, aiming to optimize production yields.

This research received funding from various organizations, including the Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group and the National Cancer Institute, highlighting its significance in advancing cancer treatment.