Issue 5, 2021

Self-aligned sequential lateral field non-uniformities over channel depth for high throughput dielectrophoretic cell deflection

Abstract

Dielectrophoresis (DEP) enables the separation of cells based on subtle subcellular phenotypic differences by controlling the frequency of the applied field. However, current electrode-based geometries extend over a limited depth of the sample channel, thereby reducing the throughput of the manipulated sample (sub-μL min−1 flow rates and <105 cells per mL). We present a flow through device with self-aligned sequential field non-uniformities extending laterally across the sample channel width (100 μm) that are created by metal patterned over the entire depth (50 μm) of the sample channel sidewall using a single lithography step. This enables single-cell streamlines to undergo progressive DEP deflection with minimal dependence on the cell starting position, its orientation versus the field and intercellular interactions. Phenotype-specific cell separation is validated (>μL min−1 flow and >106 cells per mL) using heterogeneous samples of healthy and glutaraldehyde-fixed red blood cells, with single-cell impedance cytometry showing that the DEP collected fractions are intact and exhibit electrical opacity differences consistent with their capacitance-based DEP crossover frequency. This geometry can address the vision of an “all electric” selective cell isolation and cytometry system for quantifying phenotypic heterogeneity of cellular systems.

Graphical abstract: Self-aligned sequential lateral field non-uniformities over channel depth for high throughput dielectrophoretic cell deflection

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
01 dec 2020
Accepted
21 jan 2021
First published
25 jan 2021

Lab Chip, 2021,21, 835-843

Author version available

Self-aligned sequential lateral field non-uniformities over channel depth for high throughput dielectrophoretic cell deflection

X. Huang, K. Torres-Castro, W. Varhue, A. Salahi, A. Rasin, C. Honrado, A. Brown, J. Guler and N. S. Swami, Lab Chip, 2021, 21, 835 DOI: 10.1039/D0LC01211D

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