Single cell analysis is a new trend that makes it possible to discover mechanisms not seen when studying a bulk population of cells. Our label-free techniques are capable of measuring single cell adhesion force and other properties, and deposite single cells as well. The CellSorter automatized micropipette system is capable of sorting single cells with great accuracy and speed. Fluid FM is a truly unique combination of force microscopy and microfluidics elevates applications to a higher level, from single cell biology to surface analysis and beyond.
Collaboration partners: CellSorter¸ Eötvös Lóránd University
 
FluidFM
Cells prefer to adhere onto the RGD displaying surfaces printed by FluidFM.
 

Micropipette
Cells are deposited from the micropipette either onto a glass cover slip or into PCR tubes, both fixed in the insert.
Single cell transfer is carried out by moving the motorized stage horizontally back and forth between
the Petri dish and the PCR tubes (or the cover glass).


Adhesion force
Schematic representation of the hydrodynamic adhesion force measurement on a single cell using a micropipette.


Singel cell isolation
Automated micropipette for single cell isolation; initial suspension was kept in a larger square.
Green and red dots represent cells to be isolated and cells not 
needed, respectively.
Selected single cells could be directly moved from 
this square to the other large
square or into smaller squares in the same 
dish or into PCR tubes.  


Working-principles
Schematic illustration of the working principle of the techniques employed to characterize immune cell adherence.
(a) The detection principle of the 
high-throughput optical biosensor. (b) Adherence measurement in a classical 
end-point assay; cells are labeled with a fluorescent dye. (c) Adherence measurement in a flow chamber
(rectangular microfluidic channel). 
(d) Adherence measurement with the automated micropipette.