A droplet-based detection and sorting of cells utilizing optofluidics and electro-coalescence technique

We demonstrated the detection and isolation of fluorescently tagged cancer cells (HeLa and DU145) from a mixed population of cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells at a concentration range ͳͲ4-ͳͲ6 at 300 cells per second in a single-cell droplet format. Initially, cells are focused in the single-file stream using sheath fluid before getting encapsulated in the droplets at the droplet junction. The cell encapsulated droplet then analysed and characterised based on different scatter and fluorescent signals at the optical detection zone. The fluorescent signals from the target cells activate a selective electro-coalescence isolation module which uses a very low voltage (60V).