Parallel Label‐Free Isolation of Cancer Cells Using Arrays of Acoustic Microstreaming Traps

Abstract

A new parallel label‐free isolation platform for isolating cancer cells (>10 µm) from biological samples using an array of acoustic microstreaming traps is demonstrated. The new microstreaming trapping platform offers high isolation efficiency and treatment in spiked diluted (1:2) blood samples without labeling, extra processing steps or sheath flows (common to other label‐free cell‐separation methods), hence, simplifying the microfluidic set‐up and operation. The versatility of this label‐free method is illustrated by the size‐dependent isolation of synthetic colloids and by three different models of breast cancer cells, showing a remarkably high isolation efficiency (95 ± 5%), being ≈100% for MCF‐7. Extensive experimental data and theoretical simulations confirm that the local acoustic microstreaming produced by the micropillar trap can discriminate and isolate microparticles based solely on their size. Moreover, the parallel isolation generated by the trap array arrangement is capable of effectively improving the capturing efficiency. The tunable and reversible properties of the acoustic microstreaming allow for cell capturing and optical detection within the trapping area, followed by cell release, enrichment, and collection for further studies. This label‐free trapping strategy can open numerous new opportunities for rapid and sensitive detection and capture of cancer cells in biological samples for meaningful clinical applications.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Dec 11, 2018
Source ID
10.1002/admt.201800374

Entities

People

  • Aida Martin
  • Chuanrui Chen
  • Fernando Soto
  • Jinxing Li
  • Joseph Wang
  • Junhui Hu
  • Liangfang Zhang
  • Pavimol Angsantikul
  • Xiaolong Lu
  • Yuyan Liang

Organizations

  • China Scholarship Council
  • Defense Threat Reduction Agency
  • Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China
  • University of California
  • University of California, San Diego

Tags

Readers

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Underwater engineering and Marine Technology.