Methods and apparatus for dielectrophoretic shuttling and measurement of single cells or other particles in microfluidic chips

A microfluidic device according to claim wherein said plurality of electrodes comprise a first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode, wherein said first and second electrodes are controllable for applying a first DEP force, and said second and third electrodes are controllable for applying a second DEP force.

A microfluidic device comprising:

• a fluid chamber comprising a plurality of particle retention structures, each particle retention structure defining a particle retention region for retaining at least one particle therein;
• and
• a plurality of electrodes extending into each of said particle retention regions for applying a DEP force to controllably move said at least one particle therein.

A method of controllably moving at least one particle in a microfluidic device comprising:

• a) positioning said particle in a fluid particle retention region of said device;
• and
• b) applying a DEP force to said particle to controllably move said particle within said particle retention region.