Development of a Cell-Chip Array for Single Cell Capturing Using Dielectrophoresis

Traditional methods of analyzing cells are based on the averaging of results studied from multiple cells in an assay. The results are correlated and assumed to be the equally contributed by all cells of the population under study. However, recent advancement in single cell studies have showed that individual cells behaves differently in the same environment and to study the real functionality of cell, it is really important to study single cells independently. Studying multiple cell assays may obscure some important information which can only be understood by single cell studies. We fabricated a lab on chip device using lithography techniques to study high throughput single cell capturing and analysis. The chip includes microwells on top of active sensing electrode. These electrodes are independently addressable for capturing a single cell in an individual microwell as well as study an independent cell on order. Positive-dielectrophoresis (pDEP) was employed to achieve quick and efficient single cells capturing in individual wells. We examined change in impedance properties of the electrode to verify cell capturing in microwells. Electrochemical characterization of the chip showed reliable behavior.