Investigation of mechanical and magnetophoretic focusing for magnetic flow cytometry

Abstract

As an alternative to optical flow cytometry, magnetic flow cytometry has emerged in recent years for single cell analysis with sheath-less flow conditions. Instead of measuring scattered light, magnetic fields of magneticallylabeled cells are recorded and analyzed. To determine microfluidic opportunities to manipulate cell trajectories for in-situ cell focusing we use mechanical guiding structures and magnetophoretic forces. A 3D-microfluidic particle simulation has been implemented that revealed parameters ensuring the crucial balance between hydrodynamic drag and magnetophoretic forces. Experimental measurements verified the 3D particle tracking simulation.

Keywords

• magnetic flow cytometry
• cell focusing
• particle focusing
• magnetophoresis
• microfluidics