A dielectrophoresis-based microdevice coated with nanostructured TiO2 for separation of particles and cells

• Published in: Microfluidics and nanofluidics Vol. 10; no. 6; pp. 1211 - 1221
• Main Authors: Morganti, E., Collini, C., Cunaccia, R., Gianfelice, A., Odorizzi, L., Adami, A., Lorenzelli, L., Jacchetti, E., Podestà, A., Lenardi, C., Milani, P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.06.2011; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Analytical Chemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Electrodes; Engineering; Engineering Fluid Dynamics; General aspects; Medical sciences; Nanotechnology and Microengineering; Original Paper; Titanium dioxide; Tumors; Biocompatibility; Dielectrophoresis; Micro-electrode array; Nanostructured titanium dioxide film; Microelectrode; Nanostructure; Titanium oxide; Particle separation; Tumor cell
• ISSN: 1613-4982; 1613-4990
• DOI: 10.1007/s10404-010-0751-8

In this study, we present a microdevice coated with titanium dioxide for cells and particles separation and handling. The microsystem consists of a pair of planar interdigitated gold micro-electrode arrays on a quartz substrate able to generate a traveling electric completed with a microfabricated three-dimensional glass structure for cell confinement. Dielectrophoretic forces were exploited for both vertical and lateral cell motions. In order to provide a biocompatible passivation layer to the electrodes a highly biocompatible nanostructured titanium dioxide film was deposited by supersonic cluster beam deposition (SCBD) on the electrode array. The dielectrophoretic effects of the chip were initially tested using polystyrene beads. To test the biocompatibility and capability of dielectrophoretic cell movement of the device, four cell lines (NIH3T3, SH-SY5Y, MDCK, and PC12) were used. Separation of beads from SH-SY5Y cells was also obtained.