Electro-mechanics of single cells in an electric field and its applications
กลศาสตร์เชิงไฟฟ้าของเซลล์เดี่ยวในสนามไฟฟ้าและการประยุกต์
Pikul Wanichapichart, Asst. Prof., D. of Physics, F. of Sci., PSU.
Jutiporn Sudsiri, Surat Thani Community College, Surat Thani
Sorawud Boonthawin, Phuket Commnity College, Phuket
Kanokkarn Maswiwat, F. of Sci. and Tech., Rajabpat Institute Surat Thani, Surat Thani
Kamnoon Kanchanapoom, Assoc. Prof., D. of Biology, F. of Sci., PSU.
Corresponding e-mail : vpikul@ratree.psu.ac.th
Grant : PSU. and Government Budget
Presented : The 26th Congress on Science and Technology of Thailand, 18-20 October 2000,
Bangkok
Key words : dielectrophoresis, young modulus, membrane break down, electrical properties
Suspension cells behave like dielectric particles. When being placed in an ac electric field under a low conducting medium, the cells become polarized. The cell's dipole moment interacts with the external field, resulting in the formation of pearl chains, cell translation, cell deformation, reversible and irreversible membrane break down, and cell rotation. These events depend on electric field strength, field frequency and relative electrical properties between the cell interior and the external medium. This knowledge is a basis for cell separation and leads to estimation of electrical and me-chanical constants of the cells. These parameters reveal the difference in cell structure, age and health which cannot be identified through a microscope.
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