Abstract
Manipulation and analysis of biological molecules, such as cells, DNA and proteins via using MEMS devices has become an important branch of biotechnology during the past decades. Owning to the dimension match with the cells of μm in size, numerous techniques in optical, mechanical, electrical and other fields have developed various methods for biological applications. From fundamental manipulations, like cell transportation and separation to further cell treatments, like cell lysis, culture and electroporation, the biotechnology research has been driven forwards where people never thought about the two decades ago. With the mature in biotechnology and MEMS technology, the system integration will become a popular trend nowadays. In this thesis, a cell-on-chip microsystem via the design of enhanced dielectrophresis for single cell electroporation is proposed. It integrated with the functions of cell alignment by the bow-tied shaped DEP electrodes, cell sorting by the six-array DEP electrodes and cell immobilization by quadruple DEP electrodes for the purpose of gene delivery. Numerical simulations by using the software CFDRC are carried out for the purpose of Lab chip design and evaluate the electric field distribution for the optimization of our device design. Through the simulations and analyses, our design concept is proofed, and the chip is realized via the MEMS micromachining process. The bio-experimental results of dielectrophoretic manipulations and single cell electroporation are successfully demonstrated by using HEK 293 cells in the experimental buffer (8.5% sucrose and 0.3% D-glucose, anhydrous in ddH2O, conductivity of 9.2μS/cm-1). The applied electrical potential varies from 4Vpp to 6Vpp for the DEP cell manipulation. The phenomenon of electroporation under an applied electrical potential is successfully demonstrated by YOYO-1 fluorescent dye under laser excitation. Based on our knowledge, this research demonstrated the pioneer of single-cell electroporation via microsystem integration.