High efficiency single-cell capture based on microfluidics for single cell analysis

Abstract

A microfluidic droplet platform based on flow resistance has been designed to generate, capture and analyze a single cell. In this device, a single cell was encapsulated in micro-droplet form and positioned precisely in arrays of sloped channels on a polydimethylsiloxane–glass chip. The droplets were formed at the T-junction and trapped by the main–bypass construction. The single cell capture efficiency was up to 60%. Besides, the device caused no harm to living cells as the microdroplet formed here provided a relatively stable micro-environment. The device had the advantages of reagent economy, passive driving, and minimal cell damage, making it a powerful tool for single-cell analysis.