Designing Microfluidic Devices to Sort Haematopoietic Stem Cells Based on Their Mechanical Properties

Figure 1

Separation efficiency of HSCs using straight Devices A and B. (a) In Device A, increased flow rate/Re directed cells away from the center outlet to the outer side outlets. (b) No significant difference in NRS (), as determined using micromanipulation, between subpopulations collected from center and side outlets. (c) Size of cells in subpopulations was also similar. (d) In Device B, increased flow rate directed cells to the center outlet. (e) Cells in the center outlet had higher NRS. Separation efficiency increased with increases in flow rate. (f) Size of cells in subpopulations was similar. (g) Percentage of cells collected from the center and side outlets at a flow rate of 10 ml/h plotted against a distribution range for NRS. HSCs collected from side outlets had a narrower distribution () than cells collected from center outlet (), suggesting cells in the inner outlet were mostly deformable cells. HSCs collected from the center outlet covered a wider spread of NRS with both deformable stiffer cells collected. as determined using a paired Student -test.