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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
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Microfluidics-based High-throughput Circulating Tumor Cell Sorting and Single-cell Sequencing Technology
Published on: November 14, 2025
High-throughput cancer cell isolation via dynamic anti-clogging microsieve filtration
Min Hu1, Laiyi Lin2, Hui Qi Woon3
1Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
|July 31, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a novel microsieve technology for efficient isolation of rare tumor cells from blood. The automated system rapidly separates cancer cells with high recovery and white blood cell depletion, aiding clinical translation.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Isolating rare tumor-associated cells from peripheral blood is challenging due to low abundance and heterogeneity.
- Existing methods often struggle with efficiency, consistency, and clogging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a physics-enabled, fully-automated microsieve technology for rapid and efficient isolation of tumor-associated cells from whole blood.
- To overcome limitations of current cell isolation techniques for clinical applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilized microsieve technology with a self-regulating filtration mechanism.
- Integrated periodic backflush to disrupt pore blockage and anti-fouling surface coating to suppress cell adhesion.
- Developed a fully automated system for processing whole blood samples.
Main Results:
- Achieved processing of 3 mL of whole blood within 25 minutes.
- Demonstrated >90% recovery of viable cancer cells.
- Achieved >99.99% depletion of white blood cells.
Conclusions:
- The developed microsieve approach offers efficient and consistent isolation of cancer cells from blood.
- The automated system shows significant potential for clinical translation in cancer diagnostics and monitoring.
