Cell deformability is a label-free biomarker with great potential for studying various cellular processes and disease states. This mechanical property provides insights into changes in the cytoskeleton, nuclear structure, and overall cell state, demonstrating significant clinical potential in cancer research, immune responses, and stem cell sorting.
The current state-of-the-art method for detecting cell deformability combines inertial microfluidics for precise cell positioning with an ultra-high-speed camera to capture the degree of cell deformation under strong fluidic pressure from opposing buffer flows. However, this system relies on an ultra-high-frame-rate camera, resulting in a bulky setup and high costs (~$50,000).
To address these challenges, we introduce SEMI-IDC, an all-electronic, optics-free impedance deformability cytometry (IDC) system integrated into a portable microfluidics platform. This system leverages low-cost, millimeter-sized semiconductor (SEMI) chip technology. By utilizing the electric-field shielding effect, we rapidly map the contours of deformed cells at high resolution without requiring high-speed cameras. The proposed SEMI-IDC will integrate low-noise impedance sensing electronics into a compact footprint.
Project is currently funded by: Other: France-Berkeley Fund