Portable light-sheet optofluidic microscopy for 3D fluorescence imaging flow cytometry

Lab Chip. 2023 Feb 14;23(4):624-630. doi: 10.1039/d2lc01024k.

Abstract

Imaging flow cytometry (IFC) combines conventional flow cytometry with optical microscopy, allowing for high-throughput, multi-parameter screening of single-cell specimens with morphological and spatial information. However, current 3D IFC systems are limited by instrumental complexity and incompatibility with available microfluidic devices or operations. Here, we report portable light-sheet optofluidic microscopy (PLSOM) for 3D fluorescence cytometric imaging. PLSOM exploits a compact, open-top light-sheet configuration compatible with commonly adopted microfluidic chips. The system offers a subcellular resolution (2-4 μm) in all three dimensions, high throughput (∼1000 cells per s), and portability (30 cm (l) × 10 cm (w) × 26 cm (h)). We demonstrated PLSOM for 3D IFC using various phantom and cell systems. The low-cost and custom-built architecture of PLSOM permits easy adaptability and dissemination for broad 3D flow cytometric investigations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Flow Cytometry
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional*
  • Microfluidics / methods
  • Microscopy* / methods
  • Optical Imaging