Dielectric properties of CHO cells obtained using a microwave interferometer based dielectrophoresis cytometer

Studying biological phenomena at the cellular level allows understanding the basics of cellular function and the mechanism of their interactions with internal or external stimuli. Among available single cell analysis techniques such as, fluorescent labeling, magnetic labeling, mechanical, and electrical approaches, electrical ones are of special interest due to their minimum influence on the natural state of cells. Dielectrophoresis (DEP) cytometry- translation of cells in a non-uniform electric field- is an electrical based technique previously employed for differentiation and characterization of cells (R. Pethig, Biomicrofluidics, 2010). In this work we employ a microwave based DEP cytometry technique that we have developed to obtain dielectric parameters of Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells, a cell line with prominent pharmaceutical applications for production of therapeutic proteins. Cell electrical parameters are not well established. We present a model for CHO using a double shell model comprising the cell membrane, cytoplasm, nuclear envelope, and nucleus.