Integrated Labelling, Dissociation, Electrokinetic Transport and Detection of Primary Tumour Cells

Microfluidics, an enabling and emerging technology in cancer metastasis research, has yet to be applied in the analysis of individual cells taken directly from patient carcinomas. Accordingly, we have developed an integrated microfluidic methodology to label, dissociate, transport and detect patient-derived tumour cells. Following on-chip cold perfusion of tissue with antibody and enzymes, fluorescently-labelled cells were liberated and electrokinetically transported in a HEPES / sucrose agarose gel for downstream detection. Observed electrokinetic mobilities comprised dominant anodic electroosmotic flow (EOF) and opposing cathodic cell electrophoresis.