Dielectrophoretic chip with multilayer electrodes and micro-cavity array for trapping and programmably releasing...

Area of Science:

• Microfluidics
• Biotechnology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Traditional cell characterization is hindered by difficulties in recovering cells for repeated analysis on a single chip.
• Clinical sample analysis requires efficient methods for single-cell isolation, examination, and manipulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a dielectrophoresis (DEP) micro-device for multi-step, single-cell manipulation.
• To enable sequential cell trapping, analysis, and release on a lab-on-a-chip (LOC) platform.

Main Methods:

• A three-layer electrode DEP chip design utilizing indium tin oxide (ITO) and SU-8 materials.
• Employing negative DEP for cell trapping into micro-cavities and positive DEP for cell release and flushing.
• Demonstration of multi-step manipulation using human bladder cancer cells (TSGH8301).

Main Results:

• Successful trapping of cells into micro-cavities using negative DEP.
• Demonstrated potential for on-chip cell analysis (e.g., drug treatment, sensing) without applied voltage.
• Individual cell release and selective flushing achieved through controlled electrode activation.

Conclusions:

• The developed DEP micro-device offers a robust platform for advanced cell manipulation at the single-cell level.
• This technology facilitates multi-run examinations and recovery of identified cells, crucial for clinical diagnostics.
• The platform technology shows significant promise for lab-on-a-chip (LOC) applications in cell biology and personalized medicine.