Surface acoustic wave actuated cell sorting (SAWACS).

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Microfluidics
• Cell Sorting

Background:

• Traditional cell sorting methods like fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and fluorescence-activated droplet sorting (FADS) have limitations.
• These methods often require cell labeling and can involve complex procedures or lower sorting rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel microfluidic cell sorter.
• To achieve high-throughput, continuous flow cell sorting with minimal cell manipulation.
• To demonstrate label-free cell sorting with high cell viability.

Main Methods:

• A microfluidic device integrated on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was developed.
• A surface acoustic wave (SAW) was used to generate acoustic streaming for cell deflection.
• Cells were sorted directly from bulk media without encapsulation into droplets.

Main Results:

• The device operates in continuous flow at sorting rates of several kHz.
• Cell sorting was achieved without the need for prior cell labeling (e.g., magnetic or polarizable beads).
• Successful sorting of HaCaT cells, mouse fibroblasts, and MV3 melanoma cells was demonstrated with low shear forces, ensuring cell survival.

Conclusions:

• The novel SAW-based microfluidic cell sorter offers a high-throughput, label-free sorting solution.
• This technology combines advantages of FACS and FADS in a fully integrated microfluidic system.
• The method ensures high cell viability due to low shear forces, making it suitable for various cell types.