Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Overview Of Cell Separation And Isolation

Overview Of Cell Separation And Isolation

Cell separation was first achieved in 1964 by S. H. Seal, who separated large tumor cells from the smaller blood cells using filtration. Two years later, Pohl and Hawk performed experiments on how cells respond differently to a nonuniform electric field based on the cell type. Such observations were the inception of cell separation methods, which allow isolating a single cell type from a heterogeneous sample.

Electrophoresis: Overview

Electrophoresis: Overview

Electrophoresis is a powerful analytical separation technique that relies on the differential migration of charged species when subjected to an electric field. The core strength of electrophoresis lies in its ability to separate high-molecular-weight species in complex mixtures. It has found widespread use in biochemistry, molecular biology, and analytical chemistry, allowing the separation of compounds like amino acids, nucleotides, carbohydrates, and proteins with excellent resolution.
There...

Capillary Electrophoresis: Applications

Capillary Electrophoresis: Applications

Capillary electrophoretic separations offer various modes, each with unique applications. These modes include capillary zone electrophoresis, capillary gel electrophoresis, capillary array electrophoresis, capillary isoelectric focusing, capillary isotachophoresis, micellar electrokinetic chromatography, and capillary electrochromatography.
Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) separates ionic components based on their electrophoretic mobility. It has been used to separate proteins, amino acids,...

Subcellular Fractionation

Subcellular Fractionation

The homogenate obtained after cell lysis contains various membrane-bound organelles that can be further separated into pure fractions by subcellular fractionation. These isolates are used to study specific cellular components, analyze localized protein activity, and are even employed in diagnostics. Fractionation is typically achieved using centrifugation methods, the most common being density-gradient and differential centrifugation.
Differential Centrifugation
Differential centrifugation is...

Centrifugation

Centrifugation

Centrifugation is a separation technique based on differences in density or size. It is commonly used to separate solids from aqueous interferents. During centrifugation, the sample is placed in centrifugation tubes and spun at high angular velocity, which allows centrifugal force to act differentially on the different densities or masses of the components. After spinning, the supernatant liquid is decanted. Depending on the specific application, either the pellet or the supernatant is retained...

Capillary Electrophoresis: Instrumentation

Capillary Electrophoresis: Instrumentation

Capillary electrophoresis instrumentation typically consists of several key components. A high-voltage power supply generates the electric field necessary for the separation by connecting to an anode (the positively charged electrode) and a cathode (the negatively charged electrode) located in buffer reservoirs at each end of the capillary tube. The system includes a sample vial, a fused silica capillary tube coated with polyimide for mechanical strength through which the sample components...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Development of a PCR-free electrochemical point of care test for clinical detection of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

The Analyst·2013

Same author

Dielectrophoretic tweezer for isolating and manipulating target cells.

IET nanobiotechnology·2011

Same author

Kinetics of the biodegradation of phenol in wastewaters from the chemical industry by covalently immobilized Trichosporon cutaneum cells.

Journal of industrial microbiology & biotechnology·2008

Same author

Dielectrophoretic assembly of insulinoma cells and fluorescent nanosensors into three-dimensional pseudo-islet constructs.

IET nanobiotechnology·2008

Same author

Dielectrophoretic detection of membrane morphology changes in Jurkat T-cells undergoing etoposide-induced apoptosis.

IET nanobiotechnology·2007

Same author

Dielectrophoresis of reverse phase emulsions.

IEE proceedings. Nanobiotechnology·2006

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Label-free Isolation and Enrichment of Cells Through Contactless Dielectrophoresis

Label-free Isolation and Enrichment of Cells Through Contactless Dielectrophoresis

Published on: September 3, 2013

Dielectrophoretic separation of cells: Continuous separation.

G H Markx¹, R Pethig

¹Institute of Molecular and Biomolecular Electronics, University of Wales, Dean Street, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 IUT, United Kingdom.

Biotechnology and Bioengineering

|February 20, 1995

Summary

Dielectrophoresis utilizes non-uniform electric fields to move and separate cells. This method, using electric fields and fluid flow, effectively separates various cell types, including viable and nonviable yeast cells.

More Related Videos

Electrophoretic Separation of Proteins

Electrophoretic Separation of Proteins

Published on: June 12, 2008

Microfluidic Device for the Separation of Non-Metastatic (MCF-7) and Non-Tumor (MCF-10A) Breast Cancer Cells Using AC Dielectrophoresis

Microfluidic Device for the Separation of Non-Metastatic (MCF-7) and Non-Tumor (MCF-10A) Breast Cancer Cells Using AC Dielectrophoresis

Published on: August 11, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Label-free Isolation and Enrichment of Cells Through Contactless Dielectrophoresis

Label-free Isolation and Enrichment of Cells Through Contactless Dielectrophoresis

Published on: September 3, 2013

Electrophoretic Separation of Proteins

Electrophoretic Separation of Proteins

Published on: June 12, 2008

Microfluidic Device for the Separation of Non-Metastatic (MCF-7) and Non-Tumor (MCF-10A) Breast Cancer Cells Using AC Dielectrophoresis

Microfluidic Device for the Separation of Non-Metastatic (MCF-7) and Non-Tumor (MCF-10A) Breast Cancer Cells Using AC Dielectrophoresis

Published on: August 11, 2022

Area of Science:

Biophysics
Cell Biology
Microfluidics

Background:

Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is a phenomenon describing particle movement in non-uniform electric fields.
Cell behavior in electric fields is influenced by local field strength and the electrical properties of cells and media.

Purpose of the Study:

To demonstrate cell separation using dielectrophoresis combined with fluid flow.
To explore the efficacy of DEP for separating diverse cell types and conditions.

Main Methods:

Utilizing non-uniform alternating and direct current (AC, DC) electric fields generated between microelectrodes.
Applying steric drag forces from controlled fluid flow to manipulate cells within electric potential wells.
Implementing batch and continuous separation techniques with flow reversal and voltage switching.

Main Results:

Cells redistribute around microelectrodes based on electric field interactions.
Selective cell lifting from potential energy wells achieved via fluid flow.
Successful batch separation of bacteria, yeast, and plant cells demonstrated.
Continuous separation and extraction of two cell types achieved through synchronized flow reversal and voltage control.
Efficacy confirmed for both viable and nonviable (heat-treated) yeast cells.

Conclusions:

Dielectrophoresis coupled with fluid flow is an effective technique for cell separation.
The method is versatile, applicable to various cell types and conditions.
Continuous separation is feasible by manipulating flow and electric field parameters.