Meet Spirostomum: A Cellular Marvel

Spirostomum, affectionately known as Spiro, is far from an ordinary cell. These tiny unicellular organisms inhabit freshwater lakes around the world, possibly including Lake Zurich. Spiro contracts 14 times faster than freefall—a speed that exceeds the limits of Red Bull Air Race pilots, who are restricted to 12g to avoid loss of consciousness. This incredible feat is driven by a wave of calcium ions traversing its body, triggered by a tiny mechanical force, such as a wave from a neighboring Spiro.

Even more fascinating, scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, observed that after triggering a Spiro a few times, it stops reacting to the signal as if it "remembers." Unlike higher organisms with networks of cells like brains, Spiros are single-celled organisms, making this memory-like behavior an extraordinary phenomenon. Where could this memory be stored? To answer this question, researchers needed to look deep into the molecular makeup of the cells.

The Role of FluidFM OMNIUM in Single-Cell Biopsies

The researchers turned to us, Cytosurge, and our proprietary FluidFM OMNIUM to uncover the secrets of Spiro’s cellular memory. Known for its precision and adaptability, the OMNIUM platform provided the perfect solution for biopsying Spiro—a challenging task given its size (100-400 times larger than an average mammalian cell) and dynamic nature. The scientists from our Applications team worked closely with Georgia Tech to understand Spiro's unique characteristics through remote collaboration. This close partnership helped refine protocols and confirm that the OMNIUM platform could meet the challenge.

Procuring Spiros proved a significant hurdle, as did perfecting their immobilization protocol and targeting their cells for biopsy. Through persistence and innovation, it was demonstrated that Spiros tolerate the biopsies safely.

Once convinced that the FluidFM OMNIUM platform could support their quest to dive deeper into the observed memory-like behavior of the Spiros, Georgia Tech decided to invest in the technology. The installation and training phases followed this decision, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their research journey.

The Cytosurge and Georgia Tech Teams: A Collaborative Triumph

This success story was made possible by the combined efforts of Cytosurge’s Application team and the Georgia Tech researchers. The collaboration began remotely, with the team exchanging tailored insights and solutions to address Spiro’s unique challenges. After Georgia Tech purchased the OMNIUM platform, their team received hands-on training during the installation phase. This solidified the partnership and ensured a smooth transition to using this advanced technology. 

Why This Matters

This success story is not just about overcoming a technical challenge; it’s about broadening the horizons of single-cell science. Understanding cellular memory in Spiro could lead to breakthroughs in neuroscience, regenerative medicine, and beyond.

Here’s what makes this achievement so significant:

• Precision Biopsies on Large Cells: The OMNIUM platform successfully extracted biopsies from living Spiro without harming the organism. This demonstrated the platform’s ability to handle cells of unprecedented dimensions.
• Expanding Single-Cell Research Horizons: By proving its capability to manage complex cellular structures, FluidFM OMNIUM has opened doors to studying a wider variety of cell types—from mammalian cells to large, fast-moving organisms like Spiro.

Moreover, the ability to perform non-destructive biopsies on large cells paves the way for innovative research in cellular heterogeneity and mechanotransduction.