Manipulation of a single cell with microcapillary tubing based on its electrophoretic mobility.

Manipulation of a single cell of spherical shape, approximately 5-10 microns in diameter, was performed with capillary tubing and an electrostatic field. A single cell migrates with its electrophoretic mobility into capillary tubing against the flow of electroosmosis coming out of the capillary. After trapping the cell in the capillary, it is pulled out into the other microreservoir with the application of a reverse electric voltage. When we apply a negative voltage to the microreservoir itself, the cell in it can keep floating for a relatively long period due to electrostatic repulsion. The electrophoretic mobility of a single cell is also estimated.