Electric-field-based methods for the manipulation and modification of biological cells in suspension

We have previously described microfabricated planar electrodes and their use for electro-manipulation of various mammalian cell-lines: We used dielectrophoresis (DEP) to position U937 monocytes within a non-uniform electric field and thereby controlled the extent of membrane electro poration (EP), which resulted from pulsed electric fields. We used electro-deformation (ED) to estimate the mechanical properties of several differing mammalian cell-lines (in suspension), and compared these with confocal imaging-based analysis of the cell-cytoskeleton (CSK). Here, we summarize these and other electro-manipulations observed using the same electrode geometry; these include electrorotation, disruption, and fusion. Based on these observations, we discuss potential applications for electro manipulation within microdevice platforms that handle cells on an individual basis.