We can place 50 single cells or 50 clusters of cells on a computer
chip and measure various substances that these cells secrete in
response to a stimulus (drug or gene).  We can measure oxygen,
Chloride, Nitric Oxide, Potassium, and other larger molecules such as
cancer chemotherapies.  We can measure neurotransmitters.  The ability
to measure potassium may be valuable to the drug discovery industry to
screen drugs for their arrthymia potential.

Pharma does for drug discovery to test for toxicity and efficacy.  I
think many biologists will need it to study cells in such a novel
manner.

QUESTION:
How many people per Univerity might order a chip to study cells?
What would the market pay?  
Are there competitors?

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Request for Question Clarification by omniscientbeing-ga on 21 Nov 2003 08:30 PST

gythion-ga ,

What exactly do you mean by "place...cells...on a computer chip?" What
do you mean by "...order a chip to study cells?" A computer "chip" is
simply a silicon-based electric-powered processor that powers your
PC's CPU. Any analysis or organization of data is done with software
programs. Can you elaborate on what you've done with this "chip"
please?

Thanks,

omniscientbeing-ga
Google Answers Researcher

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Clarification of Question by gythion-ga on 21 Nov 2003 22:42 PST

What exactly do you mean by "place...cells...on a computer chip?" 

I MEAN THAT WE CAN DIRECT INDIVIDUAL CELLS TO SPOTS ON A COMPUTER CHIP
WHERE WE CAN MEASURE OXYGEN, NITRIC OXIDE NO2, POTASSIUM, DOPAMINE,
SODIUM, CHLORIDE, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES.

What
do you mean by "...order a chip to study cells?" A computer "chip" is
simply a silicon-based electric-powered processor that powers your
PC's CPU. Any analysis or organization of data is done with software
programs. 

YES, THESE SPECIAL CHIPS NEED SPECIAL SOFTWARE TO INTERROGATE THE CELLS.

Can you elaborate on what you've done with this "chip"
please?

I THINK I ANSWERED THIS.

PART OF THE ANSWER SHOULD INCLUDE THE VALUE OF THE CHIP IN THE DRUG
DISCOVERY PROCESS AND THE ACADEMIC RESEARCHER.

Thanks,

omniscientbeing-ga
Google Answers Researcher