Intelligent image-based in situ single-cell isolation

Nat Commun. 2018 Jan 15;9(1):226. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-02628-4.

Abstract

Quantifying heterogeneities within cell populations is important for many fields including cancer research and neurobiology; however, techniques to isolate individual cells are limited. Here, we describe a high-throughput, non-disruptive, and cost-effective isolation method that is capable of capturing individually targeted cells using widely available techniques. Using high-resolution microscopy, laser microcapture microscopy, image analysis, and machine learning, our technology enables scalable molecular genetic analysis of single cells, targetable by morphology or location within the sample.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Separation / methods*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Machine Learning
  • Microscopy, Confocal / methods*
  • Pyramidal Cells / cytology
  • Pyramidal Cells / metabolism
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Single-Cell Analysis / methods*