The potential of autofluorescence for the detection of single living cells for label-free cell sorting in microfluidic systems

Electrophoresis. 2004 Nov;25(21-22):3740-5. doi: 10.1002/elps.200406070.

Abstract

A novel method for studying unlabeled living mammalian cells based on their autofluorescence (AF) signal in a prototype microfluidic device is presented. When combined, cellular AF detection and microfluidic devices have the potential to facilitate high-throughput analysis of different cell populations. To demonstrate this, unlabeled cultured cells in microfluidic devices were excited with a 488 nm excitation light and the AF emission (> 505 nm) was detected using a confocal fluorescence microscope (CFM). For example, a simple microfluidic three-port glass microstructure was used together with conventional electroosmotic flow (EOF) to switch the direction of the fluid flow. As a means to test the potential of AF-based cell sorting in this microfluidic device, granulocytes were successfully differentiated from human red blood cells (RBCs) based on differences in AF. This study demonstrated the use of a simple microfabricated device to perform high-throughput live cell detection and differentiation without the need for cell-specific fluorescent labeling dyes and thereby reducing the sample preparation time. Hence, the combined use of microfluidic devices and cell AF may have many applications in single-cell analysis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Equipment Design
  • Erythrocytes / cytology
  • Fluorescence
  • Granulocytes / cytology
  • Humans
  • Laser Scanning Cytometry / instrumentation
  • Laser Scanning Cytometry / methods*
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence