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Abstract
In this paper we have utilized the principle of dielectrophoresis (DEP) to develop
an apparatus to stably levitate single biological cells using a digital feedback control
scheme. Using this apparatus, the positive DEP spectra of both Canola plant protoplast
and ligament fibroblast cells have been measured over a wide range of frequencies
(1 kHz to 50 MHz) and suspending medium conductivities (11-800 muS/cm). The experimental
data thus obtained have been interpreted in terms of a simple spherical cell model.
Furthermore, utilizing such a model, we have shown that various cellular parameters
of interest can be readily obtained from the measured DEP levitation spectrum. Specifically,
the effective membrane capacitance of single cells has been determined. Values of
0.47 +/- 0.03 muF/cm2 for Canola protoplasts and 1.52 +/- 0.26 muF/cm2 for ligament
fibroblasts thus obtained are consistent with those determined by other existing electrical
methods.