CellTrap: Beyond Poisson Statistics

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Ghulam Destgeer
• Subject Area: Microsystems ; Hematology, Oncology ; Fluid Mechanics ; Cell Biology
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 539433772

The project aims to develop a microfluidic device for studying immune responses by trapping target cells. Current methods for cell trapping have limitations like cross talk, medium exchange, and Poisson statistics-based loading. The proposed solution involves using pinched bifurcated channels to trap single or paired cells or particles evenly in thousands of separate compartments using filters for medium exchange. The project will proceed in three stages. Firstly, we will design and optimize a new pinched microchannel. Secondly, we will fabricate the final channel design with 1024 traps and 1023 pinched segments using the soft lithography process. Thirdly, we will perform particle trapping experiments and analyze the outcomes. The unique features of this project are: (i) segmented traps that are free of cross talk, (ii) capability of medium exchange, and (iii) elimination of Poisson loading by focusing particles before each bifurcation. The ultimate goal is to overcome the limitations in loading single particles or cells into the traps. This device will enable effective long-term cellular studies of immune responses against cancer cells. Following the completion of this project, we will continue the work by trapping live cells and imaging them to quantify the immune cell's response in the presence of cancer cells.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants