Enabling Long-Term Dielectrophoretic Actuation for Cell Manipulation and Analysis in Microfluidic Biochips

摘要

An approach that combines not only the cell manipulation capabilities of dielectrophoresis (DEP), but also the conditions to promote appropriate cell function during long-term experiments is presented. The integration of a hybrid cell adhesive material (hCAM) with the trapping forces of positive DEP have demonstrated that after DEP trapping and anchorage on the hCAM cells can be differentiated into neuron-like cells after cultured for more than a week in the microfluidic system. This approach has also shown promise in the development of multilayer microfluidic devices. In these devices cells can be trapped on opposite sides of a permeable polyester (PET) membrane that separates a top and a bottom channel arranged perpendicular to each other. Within these devices cells can be exposed to the specific microenvironments required for appropriate cell co-culture conditions. This system can be used for studies such as cell-cell communication, cell migration, wound healing and many others.