Lab-in-a-Fiber detection and capture of cells

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Optical Engineering
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Accurate and efficient cell detection and isolation are crucial for diagnostics.
• Existing methods can be complex, costly, or lead to cell damage.
• Optical fiber technology offers potential for developing novel diagnostic platforms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and demonstrate a lab-in-a-fiber (LiF) device for cell detection and isolation.
• To evaluate the device's performance in detecting and collecting fluorescently labeled cells.
• To showcase the potential of optical fiber technology for low-cost, automated diagnostics.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a lab-in-a-fiber component using an optical fiber and a fiber capillary.
• Testing the device with a suspension of fluorescently labeled and unlabeled cells.
• Utilizing a novel sampling technique to minimize photobleaching and enable selective cell collection via suction.

Main Results:

• Successful detection of fluorescently labeled cells within the test suspension.
• Selective collection of labeled cells into the fiber capillary with maintained viability.
• Extended measurement times due to a novel sampling technique that reduced photobleaching.

Conclusions:

• The LiF device offers a simple, low-cost, and effective platform for cell detection and isolation.
• The technology is compatible with standard laboratory equipment and allows for automated cell capture.
• The LiF device shows significant potential for minimally invasive sample collection, point-of-care diagnostics, and in vivo applications.