Image-Based Single Cell Sorting Automation in Droplet Microfluidics

Muhsincan Sesen, Graeme Whyte*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

70 Citations (Scopus)
318 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The recent boom in single-cell omics has brought researchers one step closer to understanding the biological mechanisms associated with cell heterogeneity. Rare cells that have historically been obscured by bulk measurement techniques are being studied by single cell analysis and providing valuable insight into cell function. To support this progress, novel upstream capabilities are required for single cell preparation for analysis. Presented here is a droplet microfluidic, image-based single-cell sorting technique that is flexible and programmable. The automated system performs real-time dual-camera imaging (brightfield & fluorescent), processing, decision making and sorting verification. To demonstrate capabilities, the system was used to overcome the Poisson loading problem by sorting for droplets containing a single red blood cell with 85% purity. Furthermore, fluorescent imaging and machine learning was used to load single K562 cells amongst clusters based on their instantaneous size and circularity. The presented system aspires to replace manual cell handling techniques by translating expert knowledge into cell sorting automation via machine learning algorithms. This powerful technique finds application in the enrichment of single cells based on their micrographs for further downstream processing and analysis.

Original languageEnglish
Article number8736
JournalScientific Reports
Volume10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 May 2020

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Image-Based Single Cell Sorting Automation in Droplet Microfluidics'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this