Fluorescence activated cell sorting via a focused traveling surface acoustic beam

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Microfluidics
• Acoustic Cell Sorting

Background:

• Conventional Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) systems are complex, costly, and pose biosafety risks due to aerosol generation.
• Microfluidic technology offers potential for miniaturizing and improving FACS systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a benchtop-scale FACS system utilizing microfluidics and acoustic waves.
• To demonstrate accurate and efficient cell sorting with high cell viability.

Main Methods:

• A highly focused traveling surface acoustic wave beam was employed for cell manipulation.
• Micron-sized particles and fluorescently labeled cells were sorted at kHz rates.
• The system was applied to isolate MCF-7 breast cancer cells from diluted whole blood.

Main Results:

• The acoustic FACS system achieved sorting of individual particles and cells with a focused acoustic beam width of approximately 50 μm.
• Isolated MCF-7 breast cancer cells from blood samples showed purity higher than 86%.
• Cell viability remained above 95% before and after sorting, demonstrating excellent biocompatibility.

Conclusions:

• The developed acoustic FACS system is a miniaturized, benchtop solution for cell sorting.
• The system offers high accuracy, efficiency, and biocompatibility for biomedical research applications.
• This technology presents a safer and more accessible alternative to conventional FACS.