All electronic approach for high-throughput cell trapping and lysis with electrical impedance monitoring

We present a portable lab-on-chip device for high-throughput trapping and lysis of single cells with in-situ impedance monitoring in an all-electronic approach. The lab-on-chip device consists of microwell arrays between transparent conducting electrodes within a microfluidic channel to deliver and extract cells using alternating current (AC) dielectrophoresis. Cells are lysed with high efficiency using direct current (DC) electric fields between the electrodes. Results are presented for trapping and lysis of human red blood cells. Impedance spectroscopy is used to estimate the percentage of filled wells with cells and to monitor lysis. The results show impedance between electrodes decreases with increase in the percentage of filled wells with cells and drops to a minimum after lysis. Impedance monitoring provides a reasonably accurate measurement of cell trapping and lysis. Utilizing an all-electronic approach eliminates the need for bulky optical components and cameras for monitoring.