Purpose of review: Advanced technologies can aid discoveries in stem cell science in surprising ways. The application of electrokinetic techniques, which use electric fields to interrogate or separate cells, to the study of stem cells has yielded important insights into stem cell function. These techniques probe inherent cell properties, obviating the need for cell-type specific labels.
Recent findings: Analysis of a variety of stem cell types including hematopoietic, mesenchymal and adipose-derived, neural, and pluripotent stem cells by electrokinetic techniques has revealed fate-specific signatures of cells. Distinct inherent cell properties are sufficient for their label-free enrichment without causing cell damage or toxicity.
Summary: The successful application of label-free techniques to the analysis and sorting of stem cells open new avenues for exploring the basic biology of stem cells and optimizing their use in regenerative medicine applications.
Keywords: Analysis; Dielectrophoresis; Impedance; Membrane capacitance; Separation; Stem cell.