QUANTITATIVE DEFORMABILITY CYTOMETRY: RAPID, CALIBRATED MEASUREMENTS OF CELL MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

摘要

Here we demonstrate rapid, calibrated, mechanical measurements of single cells using quantitative deformability cytometry (q-DC). Cells are driven to deform through micron-scale constrictions at rates of thousands of cells per minute by applying a pressure gradient across the microfluidic device. To obtain quantitative measurements of cell mechanotype, the time-dependent strain of individual cells is tracked and the applied stresses are calibrated using gel particles with well-defined elastic moduli. The q-DC platform enables rapid, calibrated mechanotyping, which should deepen our understanding of cells as materials. In various embodiments the mechanical measurements can be used to predict clinically or functionally relevant phenotypes such as invasion.