Dielectric spectroscopy for bioanalysis: From 40 Hz to 26.5 GHz in a microfabricated wave guide

We report developing coplanar waveguide devices which can perform dielectric spectroscopy on biological samples within a microfluidic channel or well. Since coupling to the fluid sample is capacitive, no surface functionalization or chemical sample preparation are required. Data on cell suspensions and solutions of proteins and nucleic acids spanning the frequency range from 40 Hz to 26.5 GHz are presented. Low-frequency data are well explained using a simple dispersion model. At microwave frequencies, the devices yield reproducible and distinguishable spectral responses for hemoglobin solution and live E. coli.