title: Applications to cancer research of "lab-on-a-chip" devices based on dielectrophoresis (DEP).
abstract: The recent development of advanced analytical and bioseparation methodologies based on microarrays and biosensors is one of the strategic objectives of the so-called post-genomic. In this field, the development of microfabricated devices could bring new opportunities in several application fields, such as predictive oncology, diagnostics and anti-tumor drug research. The so called "Laboratory-on-a-chip technology", involving miniaturisation of analytical procedures, is expected to enable highly complex laboratory testing to move from the central laboratory into non-laboratory settings. The main advantages of Lab-on-a-chip devices are integration of multiple steps of different analytical procedures, large variety of applications, sub-microliter consumption of reagents and samples, and portability. One of the requirement for new generation Lab-on-a-chip devices is the possibility to be independent from additional preparative/analytical instruments. Ideally, Lab-on-a-chip devices should be able to perform with high efficiency and reproducibility both actuating and sensing procedures. In this review, we discuss applications of dielectrophoretic(DEP)-based Lab-on-a-chip devices to cancer research. The theory of dielectrophoresis as well as the description of several devices, based on spiral-shaped, parallel and arrayed electrodes are here presented. In addition, in this review we describe manipulation of cancer cells using advanced DEP-based Lab-on-a-chip devices in the absence of fluid flow and with the integration of both actuating and sensing procedures.
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Center, University of Ferrara, Italy, Via Fossato di Mortara, 44100 Ferrara, Italy. gam@dns.unife.it
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gambari
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borgatti
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Altomare
authors.forename: Nicolò
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Manaresi
authors.forename: Gianni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Medoro
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Romani
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tartagni
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guerrieri
mesh_terms: D001709:Biotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000639:trends; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000639:trends*; D004586:Electrophoresis / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000639:trends; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured