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Published on: August 7, 2014
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Electrokinetic Manipulation of Biological Cells towards Biotechnology Applications
Songyuan Yan1, Zarya Rajestari2, Timothy Clifford Morse2
1Materials and Manufacturing Technology, University of California Irvine, 5200 Engineering Hall, Irvine, CA 92627, USA.
Micromachines
|March 28, 2024
Summary
Template-based electrokinetic assembly (TEA) precisely manipulates individual K-562 cells using dielectrophoretic (DEP) focusing. This method enables controlled single-cell capture and positioning for advanced biotechnology applications.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Microfluidics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Individual biological cell manipulation is critical for single-cell analysis and biotechnology.
- Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is a technique used to manipulate particles, including biological cells, using non-uniform electric fields.
- K-562 lymphoblast cells are widely utilized in immunological research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate template-based electrokinetic assembly (TEA) for precise manipulation and capture of individual biological cells.
- To investigate the use of dielectrophoretic (DEP) focusing for positioning K-562 cells within microfluidic "wells" on microelectrodes.
- To assess the viability of cells under conditions required for electrokinetic handling.
Main Methods:
- Utilized template-based electrokinetic assembly (TEA) with dielectrophoretic (DEP) focusing.
- Employed lithographically-defined microelectrodes for cell capture.
- Adjusted buffer ionic concentration to achieve positive DEP (pDEP) and subsequently returned cells to cell culturing media (IMEM).
- Performed dead/alive staining assays to confirm cell viability.
Main Results:
- Successfully demonstrated the manipulation and capture of individual K-562 cells using DEP focusing within microfluidic "wells".
- Confirmed that cells survive immersion in diluted buffer necessary for electrokinetic handling, as shown by viability assays.
- Explored glassy carbon and gold as electrode materials for the process.
Conclusions:
- Template-based electrokinetic assembly (TEA) offers a promising technology for accurate and efficient microassembly of biological entities.
- This electrokinetic bio-sorting approach advances single-cell analysis, tissue engineering, and lab-on-a-chip/organ-on-a-chip applications.
- Controlled manipulation of cells via DEP opens new avenues in micro-biotechnology.
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