iDEP-based single-cell isolation in a two-dimensional array of chambers addressed by easy-to-align wireless...

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Microfluidics
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Selective single-cell capture is vital for analyzing cellular heterogeneity.
• Previous wireless bipolar electrode (BPE) methods for dielectrophoresis (DEP) cell isolation faced alignment challenges in large arrays.
• Existing methods showed limitations in uniformity and scalability due to alignment errors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a more robust and scalable platform for selective single-cell capture.
• To overcome the alignment limitations of previous BPE-based DEP devices.
• To improve cell viability during single-cell isolation and analysis.

Main Methods:

• Combined wireless bipolar electrodes (BPEs) with insulator dielectrophoresis (iDEP).
• Developed an iDEP-BPE device with significantly expanded alignment tolerance (80 μm vertical, near-infinite horizontal).
• Utilized simplified fabrication without high-resolution lithography.

Main Results:

• Achieved drastically expanded alignment tolerance for BPEs in microchambers.
• Demonstrated reduced cell exposure to electrode surfaces and reactive oxygen species, enhancing cell viability.
• Enabled easier fabrication of BPEs, facilitating scalability.

Conclusions:

• The iDEP-BPE approach offers a highly tolerant and expandable solution for selective single-cell capture.
• This method preserves cell viability, making it suitable for on-chip analysis.
• Advancements potentiate broad adoption and commercialization for single-cell studies.