DNA dielectrophoresis: Theory and applications a review

Abstract

Dielectrophoresis is the migration of an electrically polarizable particle in an inhomogeneous electric field. This migration can be exploited for several applications with (bio)molecules or cells. Dielectrophoresis is a noninvasive technique; therefore, it is very convenient for (selective) manipulation of (bio)molecules or cells. In this review, we will focus on DNA dielectrophoresis as this technique offers several advantages in trapping and immobilization, separation and purification, and analysis of DNA molecules. We present and discuss the underlying theory of the most important forces that have to be considered for applications with dielectrophoresis. Moreover, a review of DNA dielectrophoresis applications is provided to present the state-of-the-art and to offer the reader a perspective of the advances and current limitations of DNA dielectrophoresis.

Keywords: Applications; DNA; Dielectrophoresis; Review; Theory.