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Microfluidic Device for the Separation of Non-Metastatic MCF-7 and Non-Tumor MCF-10A Breast Cancer Cells Using AC Dielectrophoresis
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Image-based sorting and negative dielectrophoresis for high purity cell and particle separation
Rupert S W Thomas1, Peter D Mitchell2, Richard O C Oreffo2
1School of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton Highfield, Southampton, UK.
Electrophoresis
|June 18, 2019
Summary
This study introduces a dielectrophoretic virtual channel for precise cell and particle sorting. This microfluidic system dynamically reconfigures to isolate specific cells and particles with high purity.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Microfluidics
- Cell Sorting
Background:
- Microelectrode arrays are crucial for manipulating cells and particles in microfluidic devices.
- Dielectrophoresis offers a label-free method for particle manipulation within microchannels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and demonstrate a dynamically reconfigurable dielectrophoretic virtual channel for high-purity cell and particle sorting.
- To automate the sorting process using real-time video analysis and complex decision-making algorithms.
Main Methods:
- Utilized negative dielectrophoresis to establish a central virtual channel within a microfluidic device.
- Employed an automated system with a color camera to analyze particle characteristics (color, intensity, size, shape) for sorting.
- Investigated dynamic reconfiguration of the virtual channel by switching electrode polarity.
Main Results:
- Achieved 100% purity in isolating green beads from red beads at 0.9 particles/second.
- Successfully demonstrated sorting of osteosarcoma and human bone marrow cells.
- Validated the system's ability to reject aggregates and impurities, ensuring high-purity populations.
Conclusions:
- The dielectrophoretic virtual channel provides a versatile and efficient platform for automated, high-purity cell and particle sorting.
- The system's dynamic reconfigurability and automated decision-making show promise for complex biological sample processing.
- Further exploration of multi-output geometries indicates scalability for diverse sorting applications.
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