Chromatographic behaviour of single cells in a microchannel with dynamic geometry†
Abstract
We present the design of a microchannel with dynamic geometry that imparts different flow rates to different cells based on their physical properties. This dynamic microchannel is formed between a textured surface and a flexible membrane. As cells flow through the microchannel, the height of the channel oscillates causing periodic entrapment of the larger cells, and as a result, attenuating their velocity relative to the bulk liquid. The smaller cells are not slowed by the moving microstructure, and move synchronously with the bulk liquid. The ability of the dynamic microchannel to selectively attenuate the flow rate of eukaryotic cells is similar to a size-exclusion chromatography column, but with the opposite behavior. The speed of smaller substances is attenuated relative to the larger substances in traditional