Integrating advanced functionality in a microfabricated high-throughput fluorescent-activated cell sorter

TLDR

The integration of complete analysis systems on chip is a major potential of microfabricated devices, and the simple structure can be easily microfabricated and integrated with other microfluidic components. The study presents a new pressure‑driven microfabricated fluorescent‑activated cell sorter chip with advanced functional integration. The chip incorporates a monolithically integrated single‑step coaxial flow compound for hydrodynamic focusing, an integrated chamber for holding and culturing sorted cells, and integrated optics for cell detection. Using the sorter, fluorescent latex beads were enriched from chicken red blood cells at a throughput of 12,000 cells s⁻¹, the integrated chamber eliminated cell loss during handling, and the design advances the development of a fully integrated microcell sorting and analysis system.

Abstract

The integration of complete analyses systems “on chip” is one of the great potentials of microfabricated devices. In this study we present a new pressure-driven microfabricated fluorescent-activated cell sorter chip with advanced functional integration. Using this sorter, fluorescent latex beads are sorted from chicken red blood cells, achieving substantial enrichments at a sample throughput of 12000 cells s−1. As a part of the sorter chip, we have developed a monolithically integrated single step coaxial flow compound for hydrodynamic focusing of samples in flow cytometry and cell sorting. The structure is simple, and can easily be microfabricated and integrated with other microfluidic components. We have designed an integrated chamber on the chip for holding and culturing of the sorted cells. By integrating this chamber, the risk of losing cells during cell handling processes is eliminated. Furthermore, we have also developed integrated optics for cell detection. Our new design contributes to the ongoing efforts for building a fully integrated micro cell sorting and analysing system.