The DEParator: Dielectrophoretic Cell-Sorting
- Label-free
- High throughput
- Easy and fast operation
Achieve GMP-compliant manufacturing or affordable research cell-sorting using label-free dielectrophoresis. Volumetric throughputs are measured in the mL/min, and cell throughputs are effectively unlimited. Operation is via an easy touchscreen interface and allows easy saving of experimental procedures for easy and repeatable operation. Training requirements are limited, and experiments can be started within minutes of delivery.
The form factor is designed to fit easily within biosafety cabinets and can be controlled within or outside using the wired control unit. We can also adjust the setup for application-specific form factors.
High-Throughput
We have obtained separation of over 90% purity and below 5% cell loss using the DEParator. Effective separation speeds on a single-pass strategy can exceed 300,000 cells per second. The maximum separation capacity is about a billion cells, with about 300 million in the positive DEP fraction.
Trapping Speeds
Cell Recovery
Volumetric Throughput
Trapping Capacity
FACS (N/A) – If you can wait for it to catch up at 6700/s
Label-free, GMP-Compliant separation
Unlike FACS or MACS, DEP is not reliant on adding selective labels, which are expensive, require removal and can reduce viability among biological samples. Dielectrophoresis depends on the polarizability relationship between a particle and its surrounding medium.
The independence from surface markers and magnetic or fluorescent antibodies makes DEP the ideal cell-sorting approach where cellular purity cannot be compromised. No expensive fluorophores or magnetic beads means nothing is left behind in the cells after processing. The only cell preparation is resuspension in an iso-osmotic sugar-salt solution to optimise the separation (which can be tailored for your cells).
Using disposable cartridges, separation by DEParator can be GMP-compliant for your therapeutic applications.
Flexible Operation
The DEParator comprises three parts – the separator itself, a control unit, and a low-cost consumable cartridge. The separator is not more than 40 cm high, and easily fits in a biological safety cabinet – its “suspended frame” design allows it to be placed there without interrupting the airflow. The touch-driven control unit is connected by cable and can be used inside or outside the cabinet, or on a benchtop.
The system can be operated in any number of procedures depending on your requirements, you have total control over experimental volumes, flow speeds and signal strengths. Using the accompanying control box it is easy to setup and save experimental procedures to allow for aliquoting or swapping of input/output containers during operation.
The consumable contains one of our DEP-Well chips, designed with over five hundred separating wells. The solution to be separated (up to 15mL) is drawn through the chip, allowing a first separation pass, then expelled giving a second separation pass and returning only one cell type to the cell tube. Fresh medium is then added, the field deactivated and the positive DEP fraction released for collection.