Transverse dielectrophoretic-based DNA nanoscale confinement

Abstract

Confinement of single molecules within nanoscale environments is crucial in a range of fields, including biomedicine, genomics, and biophysics. Here, we present a method that can concentrate, confine, and linearly stretch DNA molecules within a single optical field of view using dielectrophoretic (DEP) force. The method can convert an open surface into one confining DNA molecules without a requirement for bonding, hydrodynamic or mechanical components. We use a transverse DEP field between a top coverslip and a bottom substrate, both of which are coated with a transparent conductive material. Both layers are attached using double-sided tape, defining the chamber. The nanofeatures lie at the “floor” and do not require any bonding. With the application of an alternating (AC) electric field (2 Vp-p) between the top and bottom electrodes, a DEP field gradient is established and used to concentrate, confine and linearly extend DNA in nanogrooves as small as 100-nm in width. We also demonstrate reversible loading/unloading of DNA molecules into nanogrooves and nanopits by switching frequency (between 10 kHz to 100 kHz). The technology presented in this paper provides a new method for single-molecule trapping and analysis.

A Hierarchical 3D Nanostructured Microfluidic Device for Sensitive Detection of Pathogenic Bacteria

“…Current microfluidic technologies are limited by sensor's resolution and sensitivity, due to the difficulty of concentrating target molecules and analytes at the detection sites in detectable levels. Different approaches such as electrokinetic microfluidics, centrifugal microfluidics, magnetic‐field microfluidics, and increasing the surface area with plasma‐etching have been developed for sample concentration and target capturing in lab‐on‐chip fluidic systems to enhance capturing efficiency at lower concentrations. However, not all the proposed methods offer sufficient sensitivity for direct detection and rapid analysis of bacterial infections in clinical settings …”

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

“…A list of publications and patents relating iDEP on cells for various applications are further shown in Tables S1 and S2 (Supplementary Materials) . While the use of iDEP for cells is well established, as evident by publications, patents, and commercial devices (Charlot Biosciences [ 31 ], Sandia National Laboratories [ 85 ]), more recent work has employed iDEP to manipulate and separate subcellular biological materials [ 10 , 11 , 18 , 86 ].…”

“…If the particle moves in the direction of a higher field gradient, the DEP type is called pDEP, and if the movement is away from high field gradient regions, it is termed nDEP. Both pDEP and nDEP have been utilized to manipulate cells and neutral particles [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ], with various forms and shapes of electrodes, including planar [ 15 , 16 ], quadruple [ 17 , 18 ], and traveling wave [ 19 , 20 ] designs. The mechanism of particle manipulation using nDEP and pDEP is well understood, and numerous applications have been explored, including cell/particle manipulation [ 10 , 11 , 12 ], transport [ 21 ], separation [ 22 ], and sorting [ 23 ].…”

“…Based on the mode of operation, DEP is categorized as electrode-based DEP (eDEP) [ 10 , 11 , 12 ] or insulator-based DEP (iDEP) [ 24 , 25 ]. Today, electrode-based DEP is broadly used in microfluidic devices due to its ability to generate high field gradients with low applied voltages.…”

The feasibility of using dielectrophoresis for isolation of glioblastoma subpopulations with increased stemness

“…Under a non‐uniform electric field, polarizable particles selectively experience the DEP force as a function of their bioelectric properties as well as the applied electric field. DEP has been broadly used for variety of biological particle manipulations such as cells , proteins , DNA , and microorganisms .…”