High-throughput phenotyping of microglial membrane Capacitance: Linking label-free dielectric signatures to polarization continuum and phospholipid remodeling

INTRODUCTION: The dynamic monitoring of microglial polarization remains constrained by the static M1/M2 dichotomy and a lack of robust biomarkers, limiting therapeutic development for neurological disorders. Recent advances in bioelectrical characterization, however, have revealed that cellular processes correlate with distinct dielectric properties, suggesting a potential new approach for label-free cellular analysis. OBJECTIVES: ) as a label-free, continuous metric for microglial polarization states and to elucidate the underlying biophysical mechanisms. METHODS: to capture the continuous spectrum between M1/M2 phenotypes. Complementary lipidomic and proteomic analyses, alongside pharmacological interventions, were used to investigate the molecular basis of dielectric changes. RESULTS: 's sensitivity to membrane reorganization. CONCLUSION: as a promising screening tool for neuroimmunomodulators and a predictive biomarker for therapeutic response, providing a scalable platform for neuroinflammation research.