China National University researchers successfully achieved single particle or cell capture

Technology Daily Hefei, March 16th reporter learned from the University of Science and Technology of China that the micro-nano engineering laboratory of the School of Engineering Science of the University has made important progress in the field of single particle or cell capture research. They proposed the use of real-time femtosecond laser two-photon lithography , Successfully achieved the capture of single particles or cells, the technology can also achieve real-time capture of controlled multi-particles or cell clusters, for cell communication or interaction studies between particles, is expected to greatly promote the field of cell capture research Development. Research results were recently published in the microchip international laboratory "Chip Lab" and were selected as the cover. At the same time, they were published by the "Photonics of Nature".

In single-cell analysis studies, capture of target cells is the first step in achieving single-cell analysis. Microfluidic chips have some advantages over traditional experimental methods and have been extensively studied and applied in the field of single cell capture. The microfluidic-based capture array method is the simplest and most commonly used method to achieve cell or particle capture separation. However, the current micro-capture arrays face several challenges: first, very low capture efficiency (below 10%); Secondly, it is impossible to achieve real-time controllability for the target structure size and geometry; furthermore, it is difficult to capture the controllable particle clusters at the same time.

The research team first designed and manufactured a certain degree of microfluidic chip, and introduced a photoresist or hydrogel containing the target microparticles or cells into the chip; real-time observation and screening of target particles through the image, and then quickly controlled the flow stoppage of the liquid; Using a femtosecond laser to process the micropillar array around the target particle or cell; finally wash off the photoresist or hydrogel to get the target structure for subsequent single-cell analysis. The capture efficiency of a single cell or particle is close to 100%, and the capture target The geometric size and shape can be adjusted in real time. In addition, a controlled number of particle clusters can be captured.