Label-Free Cytometry and Cell Sorting
Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is a powerful technique for studying, characterizing, and separating micro- or nano-scale objects, such as cells, bacteria, viruses, and proteins.
At DEPtech we have pioneered a 3D approach to DEP devices that allows for rapid electrophysiology analysis within 10 seconds, diagnosis at POC, or high-throughput label-free GMP-compliant cell sorting.
Label-Free Cell Sorting
What if you have a mixture of cells that move in different directions at a characteristic frequency? Then you can separate them. And then some.
A high-throughput FACS will sort at 20,000 cells per second and top out at 20 million and leaves fluorophores in your cells. MACS is faster but can only separate on surface markers, and leaves you with beads stuck to the surface. Cell losses can be up to 50% of target.
Our Deparator will separate at 150,000 cells a second and top out at a billion. Cell losses are below 10%. All label-free and in a compact benchtop device designed to fit inside a safety cabinet with minimal airflow disturbance, and using only a low-cost consumable.
Cell Analysis
Cell electrophysiology tells you a lot about cell function. From resting membrane potential, to cytoplasm conductance and membrane capacitance, understanding the ionic role in cell function and dysfunction can provide the missing link in biological research. But the only way of directly taking measurements like these was patch-clamp; expensive, highly skilled and complex, and ten cells a day if you’re lucky.
Enter the 3DEP. No bigger than a desktop PC. Useable with only a hour’s training. Low-cost consumables. No labels to interfere with your measurements. Any cell type is just as easy – from bacteria to platelets to mammalian cells to cancer to giant cardiac myocytes.
And it is fast. Ten cells a day? Try 20,000 in ten seconds. A new measurement every minute. This is ten-second electrophysiology.
Contract Research
We can draw on over 70 years’ experience in the development of DEP technologies for the analysis, separation and concentration of cells, bacteria and nanoparticles. If you are interested in dielectrophoresis but are unsure about how to proceed, talk to us! If you have an idea for something in your own technology that would benefit from our existing technology, or would like us to custom design a bespoke DEP solution, we can help.