Handling biological cells using a fluid integrated circuit

Studies are made on the methods of cell handling using dielectrophoretic (DEP) force in a newly developed device called a fluid integrated circuit (FIC), where all cell-handling components are integrated into one substrate with photolithography techniques. Cell passages and driving electrodes can be fabricated in arbitrary two-dimensional shape, allowing great flexibility in design. Through analytical study, it was found that a careful tailoring of field pattern is essential in realizing cell motions. Methods for detailed field analysis were worked out, and based on the analysis, cell handling components were developed. One is an FIC cell shift register, a device in which cells are stored and electrostatically transported one by one, just as bits are shifted in digital-logic shift registers. The other is an FIC cell deflector, where a cell fed from the inlet can be dielectrophoretically deflected to either of the bifurcating branches. The devices have been fabricated and their functions were experimentally confirmed