Time domain detection and differentiation of single particles and cells with a radio frequency interferometer

We demonstrate effective time domain detection and differentiation of single particles and cells with a simple radio-frequency interferometer. Solutions of particle mixtures (~4 μm silica and ~10 μm polystyrene) and cell mixtures (viable and non-viable yeast cells, normal and cancer human breast cells, healthy and malaria infected red blood cells) are infused into a microfluidic channel, separately, and measured at ~ 3 GHz in time domain. The results show that individual particles and cells can be effectively detected and differentiated. With better control of cell positions, the interferometer is promising to be an effective tool for single cell based biomedical studies.