Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is an electrokinetic technique with proven ability to discriminate and selectively manipulate cells based on their phenotype and physiological state, without the need for biological tags and markers. The DEP response of a cell is predominantly determined by the physico-chemical properties of the plasma membrane, subtle changes of which can be detected from two so-called 'cross-over' frequencies, f(xo1) and f(xo2). Membrane capacitance and structural changes can be monitored by measurement of f(xo1) at sub-megahertz frequencies, and current indications suggest that f(xo2), located above 100 MHz, is sensitive to changes of trans-membrane ion fluxes. DEP lends itself to integration in microfluidic devices and can also operate at the nanoscale to manipulate nanoparticles. Apart from measurements of f(xo1) and f(xo2), other examples where DEP could contribute to drug discovery and delivery include its ability to: enrich stem cells according to their differentiation potential, and to engineer artificial cell structures and nano-structures.
Keywords: Apoptosis; Cell-based assays; Electrokinetics; Membrane capacitance; Nanoparticles.
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