Single particle characterization and manipulation by opposite field dielectrophoresis

A planar electrode geometry has been developed that allows the controlled translational movement of microscopic particles by dielectrophoretic (DEP) forces. Two AC fields exhibiting antiparallel field gradients shift the particle back and forth. By consecutive application of different frequencies ranging from 10 Hz to 1 GHz DEP spectra of individual yeast cells have been acquired. Extension of the existing apparatus to the manipulation and characterization of single DNA molecules is demonstrated.