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Hu S, Wang Y, Wang Y, Chen X, Tong R. Dielectrophoretic separation and purification: From colloid and biological particles to droplets. J Chromatogr A 2024; 1731:465155. [PMID: 39032216 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2024.465155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
It is indispensable to realize the high level of purification and separation, so that objective particles, such as malignant cells, harmful bacteria, and special proteins or biological molecules, could satisfy the high precise measurement in the pharmaceutical analysis, clinical diagnosis, targeted therapy, and food defense. In addition, this could reveal the intrinsic nature and evolution mechanisms of individual biological variations. Consequently, many techniques related to optical tweezers, microfluidics, acoustophoresis, and electrokinetics can be broadly used to achieve micro- and nano-scale particle separations. Dielectrophoresis (DEP) has been used for various manipulation, concentration, transport, and separation processes of biological particles owing to its early development, mature theory, low cost, and high throughput. Although numerous reviews have discussed the biological applications of DEP techniques, comprehensive descriptions of micro- and nano-scale particle separations feature less frequently in the literature. Therefore, this review summarizes the current state of particle separation attention to relevant technological developments and innovation, including theoretical simulation, microchannel structure, electrode material, pattern and its layout. Moreover, a brief overview of separation applications using DEP in combination with other technologies is also provided. Finally, conclusions, future guidelines, and suggestions for potential promotion are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Hu
- College of Information Science and Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Precision Optical Sensing and Measurement Technology, Qinhuangdao, 066004, China.
| | - Yangcheng Wang
- College of Information Science and Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yanzhe Wang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Precision Optical Sensing and Measurement Technology, Qinhuangdao, 066004, China
| | - Xiaoming Chen
- College of Information Science and Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Precision Optical Sensing and Measurement Technology, Qinhuangdao, 066004, China
| | - Ruijie Tong
- College of Information Science and Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Precision Optical Sensing and Measurement Technology, Qinhuangdao, 066004, China
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Aghaamoo M, Cardenas-Benitez B, Lee AP. A High-Throughput Microfluidic Cell Sorter Using a Three-Dimensional Coupled Hydrodynamic-Dielectrophoretic Pre-Focusing Module. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:1813. [PMID: 37893250 PMCID: PMC10609158 DOI: 10.3390/mi14101813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is a powerful tool for label-free sorting of cells, even those with subtle differences in morphological and dielectric properties. Nevertheless, a major limitation is that most existing DEP techniques can efficiently sort cells only at low throughputs (<1 mL h-1). Here, we demonstrate that the integration of a three-dimensional (3D) coupled hydrodynamic-DEP cell pre-focusing module upstream of the main DEP sorting region enables cell sorting with a 10-fold increase in throughput compared to conventional DEP approaches. To better understand the key principles and requirements for high-throughput cell separation, we present a comprehensive theoretical model to study the scaling of hydrodynamic and electrostatic forces on cells at high flow rate regimes. Based on the model, we show that the critical cell-to-electrode distance needs to be ≤10 µm for efficient cell sorting in our proposed microfluidic platform, especially at flow rates ≥ 1 mL h-1. Based on those findings, a computational fluid dynamics model and particle tracking analysis were developed to find optimum operation parameters (e.g., flow rate ratios and electric fields) of the coupled hydrodynamic-DEP 3D focusing module. Using these optimum parameters, we experimentally demonstrate live/dead K562 cell sorting at rates as high as 10 mL h-1 (>150,000 cells min-1) with 90% separation purity, 85% cell recovery, and no negative impact on cell viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Aghaamoo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; (M.A.); (B.C.-B.)
- Center for Advanced Design & Manufacturing of Integrated Microfluidics (CADMIM), University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Braulio Cardenas-Benitez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; (M.A.); (B.C.-B.)
- Center for Advanced Design & Manufacturing of Integrated Microfluidics (CADMIM), University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Abraham P. Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; (M.A.); (B.C.-B.)
- Center for Advanced Design & Manufacturing of Integrated Microfluidics (CADMIM), University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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Impact of buffer composition on biochemical, morphological and mechanical parameters: A tare before dielectrophoretic cell separation and isolation. Transl Oncol 2022; 28:101599. [PMID: 36516639 PMCID: PMC9764254 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2022.101599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Dielectrophoresis (DEP) represents an electrokinetic approach for discriminating and separating suspended cells based on their intrinsic dielectric characteristics without the need for labeling procedure. A good practice, beyond the physical and engineering components, is the selection of a buffer that does not hinder cellular and biochemical parameters as well as cell recovery. In the present work the impact of four buffers on biochemical, morphological, and mechanical parameters was evaluated in two different cancer cell lines (Caco-2 and K562). Specifically, MTT ([3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide]) assay along with flow cytometry analysis were used to evaluate the occurring changes in terms of cell viability, morphology, and granulocyte stress formation, all factors directly influencing DEP sorting capability. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was instead employed to evaluate the gene expression levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), two well-known markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, respectively. An additional marker representing an index of cellular metabolic status, i.e. the expression of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene, was also evaluated. Among the four buffers considered, two resulted satisfactory in terms of cell viability and growth recovery (24 h), with no significant changes in cell morphology for up to 1 h in suspension. Of note, gene expression analysis showed that in both cell lines the apparently non-cytotoxic buffers significantly modulated IL-6, iNOS, and GAPDH markers, underlining the importance to deeply investigate the molecular and biochemical changes occurring during the analysis, even at apparently non-toxic conditions. The selection of a useful buffer for the separation and analysis of cells without labeling procedures, preserving cell status, represents a key factor for DEP analysis, giving the opportunity to further use cells for additional analysis.
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Lipp C, Koebel L, Bertsch A, Gauthier M, Bolopion A, Renaud P. Dielectrophoretic Traps for Efficient Bead and Cell Trapping and Formation of Aggregates of Controlled Size and Composition. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:910578. [PMID: 35910025 PMCID: PMC9333130 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.910578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a microfluidic dielectrophoretic-actuated system designed to trap chosen single-cell and form controlled cell aggregates. A novel method is proposed to characterize the efficiency of the dielectrophoretic trapping, considering the flow speed but also the heat generated by the traps as limiting criteria in cell-safe manipulation. Two original designs with different manufacturing processes are experimentally compared. The most efficient design is selected and the cell membrane integrity is monitored by fluorescence imaging to guarantee a safe-cell trapping. Design rules are suggested to adapt the traps to multiple-cells trapping and are experimentally validated as we formed aggregates of controlled size and composition with two different types of cells. We provide hereby a simple manufactured tool allowing the controlled manipulation of particles for the composition of multicellular assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémentine Lipp
- Laboratory of Microsystems LMIS4, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laure Koebel
- AS2M Department, CNRS, FEMTO-ST Institute, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Arnaud Bertsch
- Laboratory of Microsystems LMIS4, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michaël Gauthier
- AS2M Department, CNRS, FEMTO-ST Institute, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Aude Bolopion
- AS2M Department, CNRS, FEMTO-ST Institute, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Philippe Renaud
- Laboratory of Microsystems LMIS4, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Philippe Renaud,
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Huang X, Torres‐Castro K, Varhue W, Rane A, Rasin A, Swami NS. On‐chip microfluidic buffer swap of biological samples in‐line with downstream dielectrophoresis. Electrophoresis 2022; 43:1275-1282. [PMID: 35286736 PMCID: PMC9203925 DOI: 10.1002/elps.202100304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Microfluidic cell enrichment by dielectrophoresis, based on biophysical and electrophysiology phenotypes, requires that cells be resuspended from their physiological media into a lower conductivity buffer for enhancing force fields and enabling the dielectric contrast needed for separation. To ensure that sensitive cells are not subject to centrifugation for resuspension and spend minimal time outside of their culture media, we present an on‐chip microfluidic strategy for swapping cells into media tailored for dielectrophoresis. This strategy transfers cells from physiological media into a 100‐fold lower conductivity media by using tangential flows of low media conductivity at 200‐fold higher flow rate versus sample flow to promote ion diffusion over the length of a straight channel architecture that maintains laminarity of the flow‐focused sample and minimizes cell dispersion across streamlines. Serpentine channels are used downstream from the flow‐focusing region to modulate hydrodynamic resistance of the central sample outlet versus flanking outlets that remove excess buffer, so that cell streamlines are collected in the exchanged buffer with minimal dilution in cell numbers and at flow rates that support dielectrophoresis. We envision integration of this on‐chip sample preparation platform prior to or post‐dielectrophoresis, in‐line with on‐chip monitoring of the outlet sample for metrics of media conductivity, cell velocity, cell viability, cell position, and collected cell numbers, so that the cell flow rate and streamlines can be tailored for enabling dielectrophoretic separations from heterogeneous samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuhai Huang
- Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia USA
| | - Karina Torres‐Castro
- Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia USA
| | - Walter Varhue
- Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia USA
| | - Aditya Rane
- Department of Chemistry University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia USA
| | - Ahmed Rasin
- Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia USA
| | - Nathan S. Swami
- Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia USA
- Department of Chemistry University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia USA
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Duncan JL, Davalos RV. A review: Dielectrophoresis for characterizing and separating similar cell subpopulations based on bioelectric property changes due to disease progression and therapy assessment. Electrophoresis 2021; 42:2423-2444. [PMID: 34609740 DOI: 10.1002/elps.202100135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
This paper reviews the use of dielectrophoresis for high-fidelity separations and characterizations of subpopulations to highlight the recent advances in the electrokinetic field as well as provide insight into its progress toward commercialization. The role of cell subpopulations in heterogeneous clinical samples has been studied to deduce their role in disease progression and therapy resistance for instances such as cancer, tissue regeneration, and bacterial infection. Dielectrophoresis (DEP), a label-free electrokinetic technique, has been used to characterize and separate target subpopulations from mixed samples to determine disease severity, cell stemness, and drug efficacy. Despite its high sensitivity to characterize similar or related cells based on their differing bioelectric signatures, DEP has been slowly adopted both commercially and clinically. This review addresses the use of dielectrophoresis for the identification of target cell subtypes in stem cells, cancer cells, blood cells, and bacterial cells dependent on cell state and therapy exposure and addresses commercialization efforts in light of its sensitivity and future perspectives of the technology, both commercially and academically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josie L Duncan
- Bioelectromechanical Systems Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA.,Bioelectromechanical Systems Laboratory, Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Rafael V Davalos
- Bioelectromechanical Systems Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA.,Bioelectromechanical Systems Laboratory, Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
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