Title :
The potential of dielectrophoresis for single-cell experiments
Author :
Müller, Torsten ; Pfennig, Annette ; Klein, Petra ; Gradl, Gabriele ; Jäger, Magnus ; Schnelle, Thomas
Author_Institution :
Evotec Technol., Humboldt Univ. of Berlin, Germany
Abstract :
In this article, a microfluidic system was developed for sorting and high-content analysis of single cells using dielectrophoresis. It makes high-resolution imaging of suspended cells feasible immediately before depositing them into a microtiter plate. The microfluidic devices contain three-dimensional arrangements of radio-frequency driven electrodes and are used to gently manipulate suspended cells in flow. Viability of sorted and deposited cells is comparable to a control group. The influence of RF electric fields is studied using (a) calcium flux measurements and membrane potential dependent fluorescence dye on suspended human cells and (b) cultivation of yeast trapped for several days in dielectric field cages driven at field strengths up to 100 kV/m and 7 MHz.
Keywords :
bioelectric potentials; biological techniques; bioluminescence; biomembrane transport; calcium; cell motility; dyes; electric field effects; electrochemical electrodes; electrophoresis; fluorescence; microfluidics; microorganisms; Ca; RF electric field effects; calcium flux measurements; cell flow; cell sorting; dielectrophoresis; high-content single cell analysis; high-resolution imaging; membrane potential dependent fluorescence dye; microfluidic system; microtiter plate; radio-frequency driven electrodes; single-cell experiments; suspended cells; yeast cultivation; Biomembranes; Calcium; Dielectric measurements; Dielectrophoresis; Electric variables measurement; Electrodes; High-resolution imaging; Microfluidics; Radio frequency; Sorting;
Journal_Title :
Engineering in Medicine and Biology Magazine, IEEE
DOI :
10.1109/MEMB.2003.1266047
