Release date: 2017-10-26
In heterogeneous cell samples, fluorescence activation is a schematic representation of the classification of individual target cells. Image source: medgadget
Single-cell analysis is important for assessing the genetic heterogeneity of cancer between different patients, such as the ability to detect DNA mutations at individual cell levels, and is therefore of great value for precision therapy and cancer treatment. The key to achieving single-cell analysis is the ability to separate individual cells from highly heterogeneous biological samples.
Researchers at the Singapore University of Technology and Design have developed a microfluidic device that uses sound waves to separate cells from complex biological samples. This technology can help doctors accurately separate specific types of cells in blood and other body fluids, which is useful for diagnosis and cell therapy. The study was published in the journal Lab on a Chip.
Separating individual cells from complex biological samples, such as blood, is a challenge. The current gold standard is a technique called Fluorescence Activated Cell Classification (FACS). However, FACS equipment is expensive, cumbersome, and not easy to use, requiring specially trained personnel to operate.
Microfluidic devices invented by researchers at the University of Science and Technology of Singapore are promising to solve the above problems. Microfluidic devices can classify cells with highly focused sound waves. This system includes a disposable microfluidic channel, a fluorescence detection module, and a reusable sonic generator.
To isolate the cells, first, the researchers mixed the biological sample with the fluorescently labeled molecules. Fluorescent molecules bind to markers of specific cell types. The mixture is then passed through a microfluidic channel, the fluorescence detection module detects the labeled cells, activates a sonic generator, and gently transfers it to another collection channel. The width of the sound wave transmission is only 50 μm, thus allowing a highly accurate ordering of single cell levels.
“The advantages of this cell sorting technique over traditional FACS systems include: greatly simplified sorting mechanisms, reduced instrument size, reduced complexity, and significantly reduced costs,†said Ye, who participated in the study. Professor Ai said. “Not only that, but it also provides a more accurate single-cell hierarchical classification without harming the target cells because the sound waves are much milder than the widely used electric fields in traditional FACS systems.â€
We expect this single-cell separation mechanism to be used for future cancer diagnosis and cell therapy, helping to achieve precise medical care.
Reference material
[1] Sound Waves Sort Cells for Diagnostics, Cell-Based Therapies
Source: Health New Vision (Micro Signal HealthHorizon)
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