Analysis of dynamic cell movement under AC electric field in 3D multi-layered microchannel

Abstract

In the field of regenerative medicine, it is expected to separate disease-causing cells from healthy cells by electrical method with label-free and high efficiency. The purpose of this study is to find the differences of speeds between disease-causing cells and healthy cells under alternating current electric field in 3D multi-layered microchannel. We prepared intracellular charge-differed two cell types: wild type cells (WT) and wild type cells with green fluorescent protein (GFP)-histone (GFP-HT). The cell dynamic movement of each type was detected by cell tracking. We found a difference between WT velocity and GFP-HT velocity around supplying electrode and discussed by particle tracking velocimetry. The present results provide a great significance for separation of disease-causing cells from healthy cells in the microchannel.