Open microfluidic chip using air-liquid interface for single cell isolation and aspiration

Abstract

We succeeded in isolating pre-counted small amounts of circulating tumor cells from whole blood. And we also confirmed isolation of CTCs from mouse-CTC model with same method. On our open microfluidic chip, CTCs are isolated by their size-difference from other blood cells. Therefore, we arranged micropillars on the microfluidic chip. Blood sample is injected between chip and inclined coverglass. And then, by suction of blood sample, CTCs are drifted and collected. Near 90% of CTCs were isolated without any pretreatments. We also operated animal testing with same method.