Concentration of DNA Using 3D Carbon-Electrode Dielectrophoresis

We present the concentration of λ-DNA using volumetric carbon electrodes. Glass-like carbon electrodes featuring a height of 100 um are obtained after the pyrolysis of photopatterned SU-8 structures. A frequency range from 1 kHz to 1 MHz is initially probed. The concentration of DNA is measured as a function of the fluorescence intensity across the electrode array. Initial results show the concentration of DNA in well defined regions in times as short as 20 s. DNA is observed to migrate to regions of high electric field gradient at all the frequencies tested. A higher degree of concentration is observed at the lower end of the frequency range tested. This work is the initial proof of concept towards a high throughput concentrator for DNA analysis. This stage will be integrated to other functions already demonstrated using carbon electrodes such as cell trapping and cell lysis. The goal is to develop a robust and low cost microfluidics device for the extraction and analysis of genetic material from targeted cells.