Selective Retrieval of Individual Cells from Microfluidic Arrays Combining Dielectrophoretic Force and Directed Hydrodynamic Flow

Abstract

Hydrodynamic-based microfluidic platforms enable single-cell arraying and analysis over time. Despite the advantages of established microfluidic systems, long-term analysis and proliferation of cells selected in such devices require off-chip recovery of cells as well as an investigation of on-chip analysis on cell phenotype, requirements still largely unmet. Here, we introduce a device for single-cell isolation, selective retrieval and off-chip recovery. To this end, singularly addressable three-dimensional electrodes are embedded within a microfluidic channel, allowing the selective release of single cells from their trapping site through application of a negative dielectrophoretic (DEP) force. Selective capture and release are carried out in standard culture medium and cells can be subsequently mitigated towards a recovery well using micro-engineered hybrid SU-8/PDMS pneumatic valves. Importantly, transcriptional analysis of recovered cells revealed only marginal alteration of their molecular profile upon DEP application, underscored by minor transcriptional changes induced upon injection into the microfluidic device. Therefore, the established microfluidic system combining targeted DEP manipulation with downstream hydrodynamic coordination of single cells provides a powerful means to handle and manipulate individual cells within one device.

Rapid Multianalyte Microfluidic Homogeneous Immunoassay on Electrokinetically Driven Beads

“…The platform is fabricated through an additive process on a glass substrate [ 22 ]. A detailed illustration of the process flow is reported in Supplementary Information Figure S1 .…”

Trapping and releasing of single microparticles and cells in a microfluidic chip

“…However, they mainly achieve good immobilization of single cells by balancing the pressure at micropores, which is cumbersome to operate. Thiriet et al integrated three-dimensional (3D) SU-8 electrodes in a narrow microfluidic channel and selectively released individual cells from specific traps by nDEP force at a low signal amplitude [23]. However, the fabrication process of 3D electrodes is complicated, and the precision of the instrument is very high.…”

On-demand deterministic release of particles and cells using stretchable microfluidics

“…8,9,11,12,[14][15][16] Active methods rely on non-surface contact capturing of cells by employing external force fields such as optical, [17][18][19] acoustic, 20,21 magnetic, 22 and electrical. [23][24][25] In contrast, passive microfluidic approaches are contact-based techniques which involve chemical or hydrodynamic approaches to capture cells that come into contact with the surface of the device. 26 Passive hydrodynamic approaches include micropatterns, 27 microwells, 28,29 trappers, 16 and droplets.…”