High-throughput single-cell sorting and kinetic analysis of secreted particles NanoCellect Biomedical, Inc. RESEARCH & RELATED Other Project Information 7. PROJECT SUMMARY Advances in reagents and analytical tools have improved characterization of cellular phenotypes. However, most studies are still performed on cell populations that are morphologically and genetically homogeneous, yet have important biological heterogeneity; with individual cells having unique phenotypic or `omic profiles. This leads to an average measurement of individual cells, none of which may actually be average. Single-cell analysis can define the scope of cell-to-cell variations within a population and provide in-depth analysis of single, exceptional cells in contexts such as stem cell differentiation or cancer, where these cells can give rise to clonal populations that drive the biology. While novel tools such as multiparameter flow cytometry, mass cytometry, and image-based cytometry provide in-depth analysis of individual cells, these technologies only provide a single time point ?snapshot? and lack downstream molecular analysis. This project will develop for commercialization an integrated cell-sorting, cell dispensing, and single-cell positioning device to allow single cells to be tracked and measured over time. In addition, we will demonstrate a commercial prototype device that allows transfer of individual cells with desired phenotypic characteristics to 1536-well plates for downstream analysis in a standard format. This integrated system will be benchmarked with cells derived from glioblastoma that has been shown to have important exosome biological characteristics.
High-throughput single-cell sorting and kinetic analysis of secreted particles NanoCellect Biomedical, Inc. RESEARCH & RELATED Other Project Information 8. PROJECT NARRATIVE The advances proposed here will allow NanoCellect to achieve its mission: to advance single-cell technology that conforms to standard multi-well plate platforms. This will be achieved by integrating a microfluidic cell sorter, dispenser, wells-in-a-well cell array and cell-selection screen to transfer cells of interest to 1536-well plates.
