Determination of multidrug resistance level in K562 Leukemia cells by 3D-electrode contactless dielectrophoresis

In this study, 3D-electrode contactless dielectrophoresis (DEP) system is utilized to drive a relationship between the drug resistance level and dielectrophoretic response of doxorubicin resistant K562 (K562/dox) cells. The number of trapped cells, stained fluorescently, is ascertained by measuring the light intensity with Image J. For accurate counting of cells through intensity analysis, an algorithm was developed, which exploits cell transparency. K562/dox cells resistant to 100, 300, 500 and 1000 nM doxorubicin are used for the analysis. A significant increase in trapped cell number is observed up to 300 nM. However, further increase in drug resistance level is not reflected in DEP response, considerably.