Dielectrophoresis Method
Dielectrophoresis Method - Related Videos
10:38
Label-free Isolation and Enrichment of Cells Through Contactless Dielectrophoresis
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Cited by 19 •
2013
Contactless dielectrophoresis (cDEP) achieves sorting and enrichment of particles via their intrinsic dielectric properties. Fluidic electrode channels replace metallic electrodes traditional to DEP, suiting cDEP to non-damaging sterile characterization and sorting of biological particles. We demonstrate how to prepare a cDEP microdevice and conduct cell characterization and sorting experiments.
09:14
Flow-assisted Dielectrophoresis: A Low Cost Method for the Fabrication of High Performance Solution-processable Nanowire Devices
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Cited by 1 •
2017
In this paper, flow assisted dielectrophoresis is demonstrated for the self-assembly of nanowire devices. The fabrication of a silicon nanowire field effect transistor is shown as an example.
10:08
Light-Induced Dielectrophoresis for Characterizing the Electrical Behavior of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
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Cited by 1 •
2023
Here, we present light-induced dielectrophoresis as a label-free approach for characterizing heterogeneous cell lines, specifically human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). This paper describes a protocol for using and optimizing a microfluidic device with a photoconductive layer to characterize the electrical behavior of hMSCs without altering their native state.
09:45
Separating Beads and Cells in Multi-channel Microfluidic Devices Using Dielectrophoresis and Laminar Flow
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Cited by 8 •
2011
Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is an effective method to manipulate cells. Printed circuit boards (PCB) can provide inexpensive, reusable and effective electrodes for contact-free cell manipulation within microfluidic devices. By combining PDMS-based microfluidic channels with coverslips on PCBs, we demonstrate bead and cell manipulation and separation within multichannel microfluidic devices.
08:33
Microfluidic Device for the Separation of Non-Metastatic (MCF-7) and Non-Tumor (MCF-10A) Breast Cancer Cells Using AC Dielectrophoresis
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Cited by 4 •
2022
Breast cancer cells exhibit different dielectric properties compared to non-tumor breast epithelial cells. It has been hypothesized that, based on this difference in dielectric properties, the two populations can be separated for immunotherapy purposes. To support this, we model a microfluidic device to sort MCF-7 and MCF-10A cells.
FAQs
A nonuniform electric field induces a dipole within each neutral, polarizable particle. Because the field strength varies across space, the two ends of that dipole experience unequal electrical effects, producing a net force. The resulting movement is directed toward a stronger or weaker field region, allowing electrode-based devices to control particle position without chemical labels.
The particle’s electrical properties and the surrounding medium determine the direction of movement. Under positive dielectrophoresis, particles move toward regions of stronger electric field, whereas negative dielectrophoresis drives them toward weaker regions. This distinction matters because changing the electrical relationship between the particle and medium can alter where cells or microscale materials accumulate within a device.
Dielectrophoretic behavior depends on how a particle becomes polarized in relation to its surrounding medium. Those electrical properties influence both the magnitude and direction of the force generated by the nonuniform field. In bioengineering experiments, accounting for this relationship helps determine whether a device will concentrate, trap, sort, or otherwise reposition cells and microscale materials.
A typical workflow places the cells or microscale materials in a microfluidic environment containing electrode structures, then applies a nonuniform electric field. The induced forces move particles toward stronger or weaker field regions according to their electrical properties and the medium. Researchers can then use the controlled positioning for sorting, concentration, trapping, patterning, or characterization.
Researchers may choose dielectrophoresis when they need label-free control of cells or microscale materials inside a microfluidic device. Its capabilities support sample preparation and diagnostics, while also enabling concentration, sorting, trapping, and patterning. The same approach can contribute to tissue-engineering workflows and investigations of cell viability or phenotype without requiring chemical labels.
Electrode-based systems can reveal how cells or microscale materials respond to an applied nonuniform electric field by producing controlled changes in their location and organization. These outcomes include separation, concentration, trapping, pattern formation, and characterization. In bioengineering, such responses can support studies of cell viability and phenotype as well as practical sample-handling steps.