Dresden 2020 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 17: Poster V

BP 17.12: Poster

Tuesday, March 17, 2020, 14:00–16:00, P2/1OG

Deformability-based cell sorting by a microfluidic ratchet effect — •Sebastian W. Krauss, Pierre-Yves Gires, Winfried Schmidt, Walter Zimmermann, and Matthias Weiss — University Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany

Various physiological states impact on the rigidity of cells, e.g. aging, infection, or cancer. Cellular rigidity can be quantified with a high throughput by monitoring cell deformations during passage through a narrow constriction in a microfluidic device [1]. In contrast to this mere feed-forward approach, we use an asymmetric periodic flow protocol to exploit flow-induced deformations for sorting cells according to their stiffness. In particular, we apply an asymmetrically oscillating flow in a microfluidic channel that leads to a zero net drift of solid polystyrene particles, whereas deformable cells (e.g. HeLa or red blood cells) experience a nonzero deformation-dependent displacement in each cycle. Preliminary results suggest this approach to be a versatile tool for screening the physiological state of cells.

[1] Otto, O., et al. (2015) Nature Methods 12.3, 199