Validation of Clausius-Mossotti Function in Single-Cell Dielectrophoresis

The crossover frequency around 50 kHz from positive force to negative force predicted by the Clausius-Mossotti function was experimentally validated in single-cell dielectropho-resis, despite the highly nonuniform electric field distribution between small and narrowly spaced electrodes, with the field distribution greatly disturbed by the cell. The validation was based on live Jurkat human T -lymphocyte cells that were resuspended in isotonic sucrose solution. With further validation on different cells in different solutions, better understanding can be obtained on how the Clausius-Mossotti function can be applied to a cell in an electrode gap comparable to the cell diameter. The understanding can then be used to help optimize the dielectrophoresis configuration and alaorlthm for more efficient sinale-cell maneuver.