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Rare cell classification using label-free imaging flow cytometry via motion-sensitive-triggered interferometry
Eden Dotan1, Dana Yagoda-Aharoni1, Eli Shapira2
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel. nshaked@tau.ac.il.
Lab on a Chip
|October 4, 2025
Summary
We developed a novel imaging flow cytometry system using event and interferometric cameras to efficiently detect and grade rare cancer cells in blood. This method significantly reduces data volume and computational load for liquid biopsy analysis.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Optical Microscopy
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Label-free imaging flow cytometry is crucial for rare cell analysis.
- Traditional methods face challenges with high data volumes and computational demands.
- Detecting and grading circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in liquid biopsies requires sensitive and efficient techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and demonstrate a hybrid imaging flow cytometry system for label-free detection and grading of rare cancer cells.
- To reduce data acquisition and processing burdens in rare cell analysis.
- To enable sensitive classification and grading of circulating tumor cells for liquid biopsies.
Main Methods:
- Integration of a microfluidic chip with an event-based camera and an interferometric phase microscopy module.
- Utilizing the event camera for high-speed cell activity detection and triggering a slower, high-sensitivity interferometric camera.
- Employing deep neural networks for classification of rare cells based on raw interferometric data.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated efficient detection and grading of rare cancer cells in blood samples.
- Successfully differentiated between white blood cells and cancer cells using the event camera.
- Achieved grading of cancer cell types (primary/metastatic) with the interferometric camera.
- Significantly reduced data volume and computational load compared to conventional methods.
Conclusions:
- The hybrid imaging flow cytometry system offers efficient, rapid, and sensitive detection and grading of rare cells.
- This approach provides a powerful tool for analyzing circulating tumor cells in liquid biopsies.
- The system has broad potential applications in rare cell detection and processing within imaging flow cytometry.
