The present invention includes devices, systems, and methods for assaying
cells using cell-substrate impedance monitoring. In one aspect, the
invention provides cell-substrate impedance monitoring devices that
comprise electrode arrays on a nonconducting substrate, in which each of
the arrays has an approximately uniform electrode resistance across the
entire array. In another aspect, the invention provides cell-substrate
monitoring systems comprising one or more cell-substrate monitoring
devices comprising multiple wells each having an electrode array, an
impedance analyzer, a device station that connects arrays of individual
wells to the impedance analyzer, and software for controlling the device
station and impedance analyzer. In another aspect, the invention provides
cellular assays that use impedance monitoring to detect changes in cell
behavior or state. In some preferred aspects, the assays are designed to
investigate the affects of compounds on cells, such as cytotoxicity
assays. In other preferred aspects, the assays are designed to
investigate the compounds that effect IgE-mediated responses of cells to
antigens.