{"title":"CFD-Based Optimization of a Dielectrophoretic Device to Isolate CTCs.","authors":"Lan Qin, Xiao Liu, Fei Fei","doi":"10.1002/elps.8129","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cancer cells that have separated from the main tumor and entered the bloodstream are known as circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Once there, they may spread to other parts of the body and cause metastases. This work proposes a novel inertial-based dielectrophoresis (DEP) device designed for the separation of CTCs from red blood cells (RBCs). The microchannel features a rectangular zigzag segment combined with a circular curved section, optimized to improve separation efficiency by integrating inertial and DEP forces. Numerical simulations are conducted to evaluate the effects of microchannel depth, applied voltage and frequency, and Reynolds number (Re) on the separation efficiency and trajectory of cells. The simulations identify four optimal scenarios that achieve 100% separation efficiency. Early cancer diagnosis and treatment may benefit from the use of the proposed device for CTC detection.</p>","PeriodicalId":11596,"journal":{"name":"ELECTROPHORESIS","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"ELECTROPHORESIS","FirstCategoryId":"99","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1002/elps.8129","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"BIOCHEMICAL RESEARCH METHODS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Cancer cells that have separated from the main tumor and entered the bloodstream are known as circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Once there, they may spread to other parts of the body and cause metastases. This work proposes a novel inertial-based dielectrophoresis (DEP) device designed for the separation of CTCs from red blood cells (RBCs). The microchannel features a rectangular zigzag segment combined with a circular curved section, optimized to improve separation efficiency by integrating inertial and DEP forces. Numerical simulations are conducted to evaluate the effects of microchannel depth, applied voltage and frequency, and Reynolds number (Re) on the separation efficiency and trajectory of cells. The simulations identify four optimal scenarios that achieve 100% separation efficiency. Early cancer diagnosis and treatment may benefit from the use of the proposed device for CTC detection.
期刊介绍:
ELECTROPHORESIS is an international journal that publishes original manuscripts on all aspects of electrophoresis, and liquid phase separations (e.g., HPLC, micro- and nano-LC, UHPLC, micro- and nano-fluidics, liquid-phase micro-extractions, etc.).
Topics include new or improved analytical and preparative methods, sample preparation, development of theory, and innovative applications of electrophoretic and liquid phase separations methods in the study of nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates natural products, pharmaceuticals, food analysis, environmental species and other compounds of importance to the life sciences.
Papers in the areas of microfluidics and proteomics, which are not limited to electrophoresis-based methods, will also be accepted for publication. Contributions focused on hyphenated and omics techniques are also of interest. Proteomics is within the scope, if related to its fundamentals and new technical approaches. Proteomics applications are only considered in particular cases.
Papers describing the application of standard electrophoretic methods will not be considered.
Papers on nanoanalysis intended for publication in ELECTROPHORESIS should focus on one or more of the following topics:
• Nanoscale electrokinetics and phenomena related to electric double layer and/or confinement in nano-sized geometry
• Single cell and subcellular analysis
• Nanosensors and ultrasensitive detection aspects (e.g., involving quantum dots, "nanoelectrodes" or nanospray MS)
• Nanoscale/nanopore DNA sequencing (next generation sequencing)
• Micro- and nanoscale sample preparation
• Nanoparticles and cells analyses by dielectrophoresis
• Separation-based analysis using nanoparticles, nanotubes and nanowires.