Label-Free and Damage-Less Cell Sorting System Using Dielectrophoresis

Cell sorting technology is important for medical diagnosis and cell therapy in hospitals. Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is a remarkable new approach for manipulating and separating biological particles because dielectrophoresis requires a label-free and damage-less procedure with a fluorescent dye or magnetic beads. In this chapter, the fundamental theory of dielectrophoresis for living cells is demonstrated. We also introduce a precise cell diagnosis system and cell sorting system by evaluating the dielectrophoresis properties of living cells. The DEP forces acting on living cells were characterized using a microfluidic chamber containing a transparent electrode-array and fluid-induced shear forces. From this characterization, dedifferentiated and differentiated chondrocytes could be distinguished precisely. Moreover, embryonic stem cells and feeder cells could be separated continuously.