Electrical stimulation of the energy metabolism in yeast cells using a planar Ti-Au-electrode interface

Abstract

We report on the influence of dielectric pulse injection on the energy metabolism of yeast cells with a planar interdigitated electrode interface. The energy metabolism was measured via NADH fluorescence. The application of dielectric pulses results in a distinct decrease of the fluorescence, indicating a response of the energy metabolism of the yeast cells. The reduction of the NADH signal significantly depends on the pulse parameters, i.e., amplitude and width. Furthermore, the interface is used to detect electrical changes in the cell-electrolyte system, arising from glucose-induced oscillations in yeast cells and yeast extract, by dielectric spectroscopy at 10 kHz. These dielectric investigations revealed a beta(1)-dispersion for the system electrolyte/yeast cells as well as for the system electrolyte/yeast extract. In agreement with control measurements we obtained a glycolytic period of 45 s for yeast cells and of 11 min for yeast extract.