A microfluidic platform with castellated electrodes to separate cancer cells from blood cells

Abdulla Al-Ali, Waqas Waheed, Eiyad Abu-Nada, Bobby Mathew, Hyung Jin Sung, Anas Alazzam

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper introduces a dielectrophoresis-based platform for the separation of cancer cells from blood cells. The platform consists of a two-layered device: a glass wafer with embedded castellated electrodes and a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) channel bonded on top of the glass wafer. The castellated electrodes generate a non-uniform electric field and exert dielectrophoretic force on cells suspended in a low-conductivity medium. The magnitude and direction of the force acting on different cells depend on the applied frequency along with difference in the dielectric properties of each type of cells and the suspension medium. In the experiment, a mixed sample of blood cells and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, both suspended in a low conductive isotonic solution, were injected into the microchannel using a syringe pump. The applied frequency is tuned in such a way that the MDA-MB-231 cancer cells were attracted towards electrode tips whereas the blood cells were repelled away from the electrode tips to achieve successful separation.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of MARSS 2020
Subtitle of host publicationInternational Conference on Manipulation, Automation, and Robotics at Small Scales
EditorsSinan Haliyo, Mokrane Boudaoud, Albert Sill, Sergej Fatikow
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781728193496
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 13 2020
Event2020 International Conference on Manipulation, Automation, and Robotics at Small Scales, MARSS 2020 - Toronto, Canada
Duration: Jul 13 2020Jul 17 2020

Publication series

NameProceedings of MARSS 2020: International Conference on Manipulation, Automation, and Robotics at Small Scales

Conference

Conference2020 International Conference on Manipulation, Automation, and Robotics at Small Scales, MARSS 2020
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityToronto
Period7/13/207/17/20

Keywords

  • blood cells
  • cancer cells
  • castellated electrodes
  • dielectrophoresis
  • lab on a chip
  • microchannel
  • microfluidics
  • non-uniform electrical field

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Control and Optimization

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