Abstract

Biological Single Cell Analysis

Andreas Schmid, Professor, Technische Universitat Dortmund

Single cell analysis (SCA) has been recognized as the key technology for an unbiased disclosure of cellular functionality. Yet, not only the identification of individual physiological phenotypes, but also the ability to analyze single cells in a controlled and modifiable environment is a fundamental requirement for the accurate description of cellular features. Controlled physicochemical microenvironments for an unbiased analysis of individual cellular physiology are provided by the Envirostat microfluidic single cell analysis system. The Envirostat principle represents a unique combination of cell perfusion with contactless cell isolation and retention by negative dielectrophoresis (nDEP). In contrast to other microfluidic systems for SCA, which mostly rely on the mechanical trapping of cells, the contactless retention via nDEP excludes cell-surface interaction and changes in the cellular phenotype. Furthermore, the immediate removal of potentially inhibiting metabolites and the unlimited availability of nutrients and oxygen is guaranteed by a continuous medium flow. In combination with increased mass transfer, resulting from the enforced convection, the microenvironment of the target cell has a controlled and virtually static composition. First experimental findings reveal, that the extracellular environment can dictate the actual growth rate of unicellular microbial eukaryotes and prokaryotes.