Separation, Characterization, and Handling of Microalgae by Dielectrophoresis

Abstract

Microalgae biotechnology has a high potential for sustainable bioproduction of diverse high-value biomolecules. Some of the main bottlenecks in cell-based bioproduction, and more specifically in microalgae-based bioproduction, are due to insufficient methods for rapid and efficient cell characterization, which contributes to having only a few industrially established microalgal species in commercial use. Dielectrophoresis-based microfluidic devices have been long established as promising tools for label-free handling, characterization, and separation of broad ranges of cells. The technique is based on differences in dielectric properties and sizes, which results in different degrees of cell movement under an applied inhomogeneous electrical field. The method has also earned interest for separating microalgae based on their intrinsic properties, since their dielectric properties may significantly change during bioproduction, in particular for lipid-producing species. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of dielectrophoresis-based microfluidic devices that are used for handling, characterization, and separation of microalgae. Additionally, we provide a perspective on related areas of research in cell-based bioproduction that can benefit from dielectrophoresis-based microdevices. This work provides key information that will be useful for microalgae researchers to decide whether dielectrophoresis and which method is most suitable for their particular application.

An Approach to Ring Resonator Biosensing Assisted by Dielectrophoresis: Design, Simulation and Fabrication

“…Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is the migration of polarized dielectric particles in a non-uniform electric field and has attracted intense interest in biotechnology regarding the separation and concentration of viruses [ 29 ], bacteria [ 30 ], micro algae [ 31 ], DNA [ 32 ], and protein [ 33 ], as well as its compatibility with micro fluidic systems and lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices [ 33 , 34 ].…”

Review: Dielectrophoresis in cell characterization

“…DEP characterization is also uniquely situated to address research needs in other areas. For example, measurement of other intrinsic properties such as cell mechanical properties through DEP‐based stretching [159], examining microalgae for a variety of applications [49] and noncell‐based applications such as demonstrated with the characterization of the quality of nanowires [160].…”

“…The sensitivity of these methods has been shown to discriminate subtle differences between cells; differences that in some cases, occur prior to any other means of labelling being available. Cited in previous reviews, DEP has been broadly used to manipulate and noninvasively characterize normal and cancerous cell types, red blood cells, bacteria, algae, fungi, viruses, and DNA to obtain their intrinsic electrophysiological properties [46–49]. Sample throughput has been extensively considered and has inspired many three‐dimensional (3D)/microfluidic DEP designs [43,49–53].…”

“…Cited in previous reviews, DEP has been broadly used to manipulate and noninvasively characterize normal and cancerous cell types, red blood cells, bacteria, algae, fungi, viruses, and DNA to obtain their intrinsic electrophysiological properties [46–49]. Sample throughput has been extensively considered and has inspired many three‐dimensional (3D)/microfluidic DEP designs [43,49–53]. Clinical application of DEP has pushed current electrode design and data acquisition toward more user‐friendly, cost‐effective platforms [54–59].…”

Insulator Based Dielectrophoresis: Micro, Nano, and Molecular Scale Biological Applications

“…Over the past 15 years, significant developments have been made in electrode manufacturing processes which have enabled the fabrication of three-dimensional passivated-electrodes [ 38 ], 3D printed metallic electrodes [ 39 ], and graphene electrodes [ 40 ]. These advancements have improved the manipulation efficacy of biological species at low applied electric fields, nurturing the varied frequency range process of microfluidic devices [ 38 , 41 ]. Advanced photolithography technologies, in particular, have paved the way for effectively enabling iDEP to be used in manipulations of cells, viruses, exosomes, and proteins [ 42 , 43 ], thus providing researchers with a handy tool to investigate micro and nanomolecular interactions, and have potential for future use in point-of-care devices.…”