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Overview Of Cell Separation And Isolation

Overview Of Cell Separation And Isolation

Cell separation was first achieved in 1964 by S. H. Seal, who separated large tumor cells from the smaller blood cells using filtration. Two years later, Pohl and Hawk performed experiments on how cells respond differently to a nonuniform electric field based on the cell type. Such observations were the inception of cell separation methods, which allow isolating a single cell type from a heterogeneous sample.

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Microfluidic Buffer Exchange for Interference-free Micro/Nanoparticle Cell Engineering

Microfluidic Buffer Exchange for Interference-free Micro/Nanoparticle Cell Engineering

Published on: July 10, 2016

Label-free cellular manipulation and sorting via biocompatible ferrofluids.

Ayse R Kose¹, Birgit Fischer, Leidong Mao

¹Department of Electrical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8284, USA.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

|December 10, 2009

Summary

This study introduces a low-cost microfluidic platform using biocompatible ferrofluids for rapid cell and microparticle separation. The technology efficiently separates based on size, shape, and elasticity, with potential for faster diagnostics.

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Area of Science:

Biotechnology
Microfluidics
Biomedical Engineering

Background:

Microfluidic devices offer precise control over biological samples.
Efficient separation of cells and microparticles is crucial for diagnostics and research.
Ferrofluids provide a biocompatible medium for magnetic manipulation.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a simple, low-cost microfluidic platform for rapid separation of microparticles and live cells.
To demonstrate the efficacy of ferrofluid-based manipulation for cellular separation.
To explore the potential of this technology in improving diagnostic sensitivity and reducing assay times.

Main Methods:

Utilized a microfluidic platform incorporating biocompatible ferrofluids.
Exploited differences in particle size, shape, and elasticity for separation.
Employed magnetic manipulation for controlled movement and separation of targets.

Main Results:

Achieved 99% separation efficiency for microspheres based on size with sub-10-micrometer resolution in under 45 seconds.
Demonstrated continuous manipulation and shape-based separation of live red blood cells from sickle cells.
Successfully separated bacteria from other cellular components.

Conclusions:

The developed ferromicrofluidic platform enables rapid and efficient separation of microparticles and live cells.
This technology has significant potential to reduce incubation times in cellular assays.
The platform can enhance diagnostic sensitivity by enabling rapid delivery of target cells to sensor arrays.