Shear flow deformability cytometry: A microfluidic method advancing towards clinical use - A review.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cell Biology
• Microfluidics

Background:

• Shear flow deformability cytometry is an advanced microfluidic technique for analyzing single cell mechanical and morphological properties.
• Cell deformability is increasingly recognized as a significant biomarker for various health and disease states.
• The technique is particularly well-suited for analyzing blood samples due to its operating principles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in shear flow deformability cytometry.
• To highlight its clinical relevance and applications, particularly in blood and cancer cell analysis.
• To identify barriers hindering clinical adoption and suggest pathways for implementation.

Main Methods:

• Overview of deformability cytometry principles and factors influencing cell mechanical properties.
• Focus on shear flow deformability cytometry, a widely adopted variant.
• Review of recent applications in clinical diagnostics and disease monitoring.

Main Results:

• Shear flow deformability cytometry offers high throughput (approx. 1000 cells/sec) and robust operation with whole blood.
• Demonstrated clinical relevance in analyzing blood and cancer cells.
• Identified key challenges including regulatory approval, manufacturing scalability, and workflow integration.

Conclusions:

• Microfluidic shear flow deformability cytometry provides unique insights into mechanical and morphological biomarkers.
• Addressing critical barriers is essential for successful clinical translation.
• The technique holds significant potential to bridge the gap between research and routine medical practice.