Automated cell characterization platform: Application to yeast protoplast study by electrorotation
Résumé
This paper is about the development of a new automated platform dedicated to cell manipulation and characterization by dielectrophoretic methods. We illustrate its possibilities by studying yeast protoplasts and yeast cells electrorotation spectra, obtained using polynomial microelectrode structures powered by computer-controlled generators. Measurements were made over the frequency range 100 kHz to 80MHz, mostly in a suspending medium of conductivity 50 mS/m inside the rotation chamber. The rotation rate of yeast protoplasts was inferior to that of whole yeast cells. To understand such behavioral differences, yeast protoplasts were modelled as single-shell spheres in a first approach.