Light-Emitting Diode Array with Optical Linear Detector Enables High-Throughput Differential Single-Cell Dielectrophoretic Analysis

This paper presents a lens-free imaging approach utilizing an array of light sources, capable of measuring the dielectric properties of many particles simultaneously. This method employs coplanar electrodes to induce velocity changes in flowing particles through dielectrophoretic forces, allowing the inference of individual particle properties from differential velocity changes. Both positive and negative forces are detectable. The light source utilized in this system is composed of LEDs with a wavelength of 470 nm, while detection is performed using a 256-element optical array detector. Measurements with 10 μm polystyrene beads demonstrate this method can resolve changes equivalent to a Clausius-Mossotti factor of 0.18. Simulations in this work, using values from the literature, predict that Clausius-Mossotti factor differences of 0.18 are sufficient to differentiate viable from nonviable cells and cancerous from multidrug-resistant cancerous cells. We demonstrate that for Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, the method can collect a dielectric response spectrum for a large number of cells in several minutes. We demonstrate that for CHO cells, Clausius-Mossotti factor differences of 0.18 can be discriminated. Due to its simple detection apparatus and the utilization of high-throughput, wide, clog-resistant channels, this method holds promise for a wide range of applications.