title: 2-Dimensional MEMS dielectrophoresis device for osteoblast cell stimulation.
abstract: A fixed microelectrode device for cell stimulation has been designed and fabricated using micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology. Dielectrophoretic forces obtained from non-uniform electric fields were used for manipulating and positioning osteoblasts. The experiments show that the osteoblasts experience positive dielectrophoresis (p-DEP) when suspended in iso-osmotic culture medium and exposed to AC fields at 5 MHz frequency. Negative dielectrophoresis (n-DEP) is obtained at 0.1 MHz. The viability of osteoblasts under dielectrophoresis has been investigated. The viability values for cells exposed to DEP are nearly three times higher than the control values, indicating that dielectrophoresis may have an anabolic effect on osteoblasts.
authors.affiliation: Optical and Semiconductor Devices Group, EEE Dept., Imperial College, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2AZ, UK. h.zou@imperial.ac.uk
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mellon
authors.forename: R R A
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Syms
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Tanner
mesh_terms: D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival; D046209:Electrophoresis, Microchip / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008839:Microelectrodes; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology*