Abstract

Functional Flow Cytometry with Lab on a Particle Technologies

Dino Di Carlo, Armond and Elena Hairapetian Chair in Engineering and Medicine, Professor and Vice Chair of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles

The ultimate limits of measurement in biology are the “quantum” units that convey information, e.g. single nucleic acids, proteins, and cells. Microfluidics has emerged as a powerful tool to compartmentalize single cells and molecules into sub-nanoliter droplets as individual bioreactors to enable sensitive detection and analysis down to this quantum limit. However, the current systems for quantum assays have not been widely adopted, partly due to the requirement of specialized instruments and microfluidic chips to generate uniform droplets and perform adequate manipulations.  I will discuss the platforms we are developing to perform quantum assays using standard flow cytometers and fluorescence activated cell sorters.  “Lab on a particle” technology enables functional screening of T cell receptors based on the cytokine secretion of single T cells, the selection of colonies of yeast or bacteria based on growth and the production of high value bio-products, and the development of directed evolution workflows for protein biosensors.