Microfluidic array cytometer based on refractive optical tweezers for parallel trapping, imaging and sorting of...

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Cell Biology
• Microfluidics

Background:

• Analyzing cellular processes in single cells requires parallel monitoring and sorting.
• Flow cytometry has limitations for dynamic process analysis due to rapid sampling.
• Image cytometry of immobilized cells complicates sorting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a cytometric tool for parallel analysis and sorting of single cells.
• To enable contact-free cell manipulation and dynamic response monitoring.
• To investigate yeast cell responses to stimuli like glucose sensing.

Main Methods:

• Utilized multiple optical tweezers integrated with microfluidics and microscopy.
• Achieved contact-free immobilization of over 200 yeast cells in a high-density array.
• Implemented a steerable optical trap for single-cell sorting within the microfluidic device.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated parallel analysis of single yeast cells using fluorescence microscopy.
• Successfully monitored intracellular pH dynamics and assessed laser effects on cell viability.
• Showcased controlled reagent exposure and dynamic cellular responses to glucose sensing.

Conclusions:

• The developed optical tweezers cytometer offers a novel approach for high-throughput single-cell analysis and sorting.
• This technology overcomes limitations of existing methods for studying dynamic cellular processes.
• Enables detailed investigation of cellular behavior and responses in a controlled microfluidic environment.