Development of a demonstrator for the label-free flow cytometry based on light scatter-driven pulse shapes

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Hyun-Dong Chang; Toralf Kaiser
• Subject Area: Microbial Ecology and Applied Microbiology ; Cell Biology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 565743763

Label-free cell analysis and sorting is becoming increasingly important in biomedical research, microbiology and diagnostics. The need for fast, accurate and non-invasive methods is constantly increasing, as conventional methods based on fluorescent markers have several disadvantages. These methods are potentially non-specific, often time-consuming and expensive. They also carry the risk of altering cells or causing undesirable effects through marker-cell interactions. In the previous project, a laboratory setup was developed that demonstrated the feasibility of label-free light scatter-based cytometry for the classification and phenotyping of cells. In this follow-up project, this setup is to be further developed into a demonstrator that is additionally equipped with spectral fluorescence detection to enable combined measurements. The main objectives of the project are (1) the transfer of the laboratory setup into a demonstrator with optimized scattered light and spectral fluorescence detection and (2) the development of user-friendly software for operation and data analysis. In addition, (3) AI-based algorithms for real-time data analysis and sorting decision making will be developed.

• DFG Programme: New Instrumentation for Research