Ultra-High Frequencies continuous biological cell sorting based on repulsive and low dielectrophoresis forces

Abstract

This paper demonstrates the superior capabilities of Ultra-High Frequency dielectrophoresis (UHF-DEP) to sort populations of biological cells based on their intracellular dielectric characteristics. The proposed concept combines both hydrofluidic and repulsive dielectrophoresis forces into a microfluidic lab-on-chip to create a UHF-DEP cytometer. The main objective is to sort different types of cells using only negative dielectrophoresis principle. The idea is to select proper frequency for the applied electric field in order to produce different intensity of repulsive DEP forces related to the cell type. This sorting principle, without positive DEP, limits strong interaction of cells with the electric field, which could induce their permanent trapping during cytometer operation and reduces the efficiency of the cell sorting. Results presented in this paper demonstrate the capability of an effective sorting for mesenchymal cells.

Signal-Based Methods in Dielectrophoresis for Cell and Particle Separation

“…This method does not need any labeling and does not affect the viability and integrity of the cell. There are two crossover frequencies f x 01 and f x 02 , in each particle or cell’s CM factor spectral plot for which F DEP becomes zero [ 97 ]. Cell parameters affect these frequencies.…”

“…For a high throughput cell sorting, cell trapping by pDEP during the isolation has to be prevented because it can cause the formation of the cell agglomerate that can disturb the flow and change the efficiency of the sorting, or even generate clogging inside the microchannel [ 97 ]. To this end, a frequency higher than or close to the second crossover frequency ( f x 02 ) of the target cell group has to be chosen to apply only nDEP to the cells.…”

Signal-Based Methods in Dielectrophoresis for Cell Separation

“…This method does not need any labeling and does not affect the viability and integrity of the cell. There are two crossover frequencies fx01 and fx02, in each particle or cell's CM factor spectral plot for which FDEP becomes zero [90]. Cell parameters affect these frequencies.…”

“…For a high throughput cell sorting, cell trapping by pDEP during the isolation has to be prevented; because it can cause the formation of the cell agglomerate that can disturb the flow and change the efficiency of the sorting or even generate clogging inside the microchannel [90]. To this end, a frequency higher than or close to the second crossover frequency (fx02) of the target cell group has be chosen to apply only nDEP to the cells.…”

“…To this end, a frequency higher than or close to the second crossover frequency (fx02) of the target cell group has be chosen to apply only nDEP to the cells. For example, Provent et al [90] utilized this method to separate subpopulations of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). In fact, two different populations of the cells can be separated by setting the frequency above the highest median crossover frequency value among both cell groups.…”