Trapping cortical rat neurons

Cortical rat neurons were trapped by dielectrophoresis (DEP). Experimental data were compared with theoretically deduced relationships. The neuron was represented by a single-shell model. A planar quadrupole electrode structure was used for the creation of a nonuniform field. The electrode structure was modeled as four point charges. The experimental data did almost completely fit the theoretical yield/time relationship. The theoretical yield/amplitude relationship, however, did only apply for a restricted amount of frequencies. The experimental frequency behaviour (i.e., the DEP-spectrum) did not apply to the theory. A difference in neuronal physiological state can produce different DEP-spectra. For two frequencies (10 kHz and 14 MHz) adhesion to the substrate and outgrowth of the neurons was investigated