Recent advances in dielectrophoresis toward biomarker detection: A summary of studies published between 2014 and 2021

Abstract

Recent advances in dielectrophoresis toward biomarker detection: A summary of studies published between 2014 and 2021Dielectrophoresis is a well-understood phenomenon that has been widely utilized in biomedical applications. Recent advancements in miniaturization have contributed to the development of dielectrophoretic-based devices for a wide variety of biomedical applications. In particular, the integration of dielectrophoresis with microfluidics, fluorescence, and electrical impedance has produced devices and techniques that are attractive for screening and diagnosing diseases. This review article summarizes the recent utility of dielectrophoresis in assays of biomarker detection. Common screening and diagnostic biomarkers, such as cellular, protein, and nucleic acid, are discussed. Finally, the potential use of recent developments in machine learning approaches toward improving biomarker detection performance is discussed. This review article will be useful for researchers interested in the recent utility of dielectrophoresis in the detection of biomarkers and for those developing new devices to address current gaps in dielectrophoretic biomarker detection.

Fabrication and Separation of EGaIn Microparticles from Human Blood Based on Dielectrophoresis Force and a W-Type Electrode

“…In order to optimize the structure and driving parameters, the separation of heavy metals from blood with a W-type electrode platform based on the DEP force was first performed using COMSOL software. The DEP force F⃗ DEP is defined as ,, F⃗ DEP = 2 π ε normalm r 3 R normale [ K * false( ω false) ] ∇ ( E⃗ · E⃗ ) where ε m is permittivity of the medium, r is the radius of the particle, ω = 2π f is the angular frequency, ∇ is the gradient operator, E⃗ is the strength of the applied electric field, and R e [ K *(ω)] is the real part of the complex Clausius–Mossotti (CM) factor as a function of frequency (ω) defined as ,, K * ( ω ) = ε normalp * − ε normalm * ε normalp * + 2 ε normalm * where ε p * and ε m * are respectively the complex permittivity of the particle and the complex permittivity of the medium, ε* = ε – j σ/ω , is the effective complex permittivity, and ε and σ are respectively the dielectric permittivity and electric conductivity. The electric current field in the AC/DC module, the creeping flow field in the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) module, and the fluid flow particle tracking in the particle tracking module were chosen according to the DEP principle and the experimental needs.…”

“…In order to optimize the structure and driving parameters, the separation of heavy metals from blood with a W-type electrode platform based on the DEP force was first performed using COMSOL software. The DEP force F ⃗ DEP is defined as 22,43,44 where ε m is permittivity of the medium, r is the radius of the particle, ω = 2πf is the angular frequency, ∇ is the gradient operator, E ⃗ is the strength of the applied electric field, and R e [K*(ω)] is the real part of the complex Clausius−Mossotti (CM) factor as a function of frequency (ω) defined as 22,43,44 K ( )…”

“…where ε p * and ε m * are respectively the complex permittivity of the particle and the complex permittivity of the medium, ε* = ε − jσ/ω 22,43 is the effective complex permittivity, and ε and σ are respectively the dielectric permittivity and electric conductivity. The electric current field in the AC/DC module, the creeping flow field in the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) module, and the fluid flow particle tracking in the particle tracking module were chosen according to the DEP principle and the experimental needs.…”

Dielectrophoresis: An Approach to Increase Sensitivity, Reduce Response Time and to Suppress Nonspecific Binding in Biosensors?

“…The implication of AC electrokinetic enrichment in biosensing has been demonstrated by several research groups using a variety of strategies and biomolecules such as oligonucleotides, antibodies, and globular proteins. For a more comprehensive list of examples, we refer to previous work [ 35 ] as we below only discuss some selected interesting examples. The limitations with almost all of these experiments, however, is that they have been performed in ideal solutions with low conductivity medium which highly restrains possible applications that has to be diluted before use.…”

“…While previous reviews have covered generally AC electrokinetic enhanced biosensors [ 26 , 27 ], DEP in microbial sensors [ 34 ] or the detection of biomarkers [ 35 ], we are here aiming to cover biosensors assisted with DEP in the light of new theoretical approaches, recent examples and critically discuss their potential to increase sensitivity and to decrease the assay time of biosensors. Key aspects in this endeavor are an improved mass transfer and the avoidance of nonspecific bindings.…”