Dielectrophoresis of Caenorhabditis elegans

Han Sheng Chuang, David M. Raizen, Annesia Lamb, Nooreen Dabbish, Haim H. Bau

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

40 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We demonstrate for the first time the dielectrophoretic trapping and manipulation of a whole animal, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We studied the effect of the electric field on the nematode as a function of field intensity and frequency. We identified a range of electric field intensities and frequencies that trap worms without apparent adverse effect on their viability. Worms tethered by dielectrophoresis (DEP) exhibit behavioral responses to blue light, indicating that at least some of the nervous system functions are unimpaired by the electrical field. DEP is useful to dynamically tether nematodes, sort nematodes according to size, and separate dead worms from live ones.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)599-604
Number of pages6
JournalLab on a Chip
Volume11
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011 Feb 21

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Bioengineering
  • Biochemistry
  • General Chemistry
  • Biomedical Engineering

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