Non-Linear Cellular Dielectrophoretic Behavior Characterization Using Dielectrophoretic Tweezers-Based Force Spectroscopy inside a Microfluidic Device

Abstract

Characterization of cellular dielectrophoretic (DEP) behaviors, when cells are exposed to an alternating current (AC) electric field of varying frequency, is fundamentally important to many applications using dielectrophoresis. However, to date, that characterization has been performed with monotonically increasing or decreasing frequency, not with successive increases and decreases, even though cells might behave differently with those frequency modulations due to the nonlinear cellular electrodynamic responses reported in previous works. In this report, we present a method to trace the behaviors of numerous cells simultaneously at the single-cell level in a simple, robust manner using dielectrophoretic tweezers-based force spectroscopy. Using this method, the behaviors of more than 150 cells were traced in a single environment at the same time, while a modulated DEP force acted upon them, resulting in characterization of nonlinear DEP cellular behaviors and generation of different cross-over frequencies in living cells by modulating the DEP force. This study demonstrated that living cells can have non-linear di-polarized responses depending on the modulation direction of the applied frequency as well as providing a simple and reliable platform from which to measure a cellular cross-over frequency and characterize its nonlinear property.

Numerical study of insulation structure characteristics and arrangement effects on cell trapping using alternative current insulating based dielectrophoresis

“…Combining Eqs. (11) and (12), we are able to describe the iterative method for particle tracing as follows [40]: r n+1 = 2r n r n 1 + 0:5 F n m dt 2 :…”

Toward low‐voltage dielectrophoresis‐based microfluidic systems: A review

“…Reprinted with permission from [21] copyright (2018) Elsevier B.V. ( E) eDEP + iDEP device used to manipulate MCF‐7 cells. Reproduced from [12] .…”

“…We note that although there have been efforts to effectively use electrothermal flow for particle/cell manipulation [11], it remains generally viewed as a negative effect for cell trapping. Also, the application of high voltages, independently of the heating effects they produce, may damage the biological sample, decreasing cell viability [12]. Thus, high input‐voltages represent an obstacle toward creating fully integrated, stand‐alone platforms that can be used outside of a laboratory.…”

Quantitative analysis of the three‐dimensional trap stiffness of a dielectrophoretic corral trap

“…Over the last decades, efforts have been made on the development of microfluidic platforms and replacing the conventional macrotechniques [10,11]. The microfluidic platforms are suitable for bioscience and biomedical applications, as it requires a small volume of fluid for analysis with advantages of precise transportation control with minimum moving parts and low hydrodynamic dispersion.…”

“…Over the years, trapping force spectroscopy and trap stiffness have been investigated for various DEP trapping. DEP trap stiffness and force spectroscopy were analyzed for particle trapping based on interdigitated electrodes [10,31,32]. It has been reported that the devices with interdigitated electrodes suffer from particle levitation.…”