Dielectrophoresis based-cell patterning for tissue engineering

Engineering functional tissues and organs in vitro is considered integral to regenerative medicine. Many recent cell patterning technique developments position cells at a pre-designated pattern to improve tissue engineering efficiency and quality and to facilitate 3-D cell-cell interaction exploration. Among these techniques, dielectrophoresis (DEP)-based cell patterning advantageously offers speed, ease of operation, low degree of cell damage, and precision. This article reviews recent advances in DEP-based patterning techniques, including electrode design, suitable buffer and hydrogel, effects of the electric current to cells, combination potential with other techniques, as well as efforts to generate 3-D tissues.