Cell sorting in a Petri dish controlled by computer vision

Sci Rep. 2013:3:1088. doi: 10.1038/srep01088. Epub 2013 Jan 18.

Abstract

Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) applying flow cytometry to separate cells on a molecular basis is a widespread method. We demonstrate that both fluorescent and unlabeled live cells in a Petri dish observed with a microscope can be automatically recognized by computer vision and picked up by a computer-controlled micropipette. This method can be routinely applied as a FACS down to the single cell level with a very high selectivity. Sorting resolution, i.e., the minimum distance between two cells from which one could be selectively removed was 50-70 micrometers. Survival rate with a low number of 3T3 mouse fibroblasts and NE-4C neuroectodermal mouse stem cells was 66 ± 12% and 88 ± 16%, respectively. Purity of sorted cultures and rate of survival using NE-4C/NE-GFP-4C co-cultures were 95 ± 2% and 62 ± 7%, respectively. Hydrodynamic simulations confirmed the experimental sorting efficiency and a cell damage risk similar to that of normal FACS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Astrocytes / cytology
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Separation / instrumentation*
  • Cell Separation / methods*
  • Cell Survival
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Flow Cytometry / instrumentation
  • Flow Cytometry / methods
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Keratinocytes / cytology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Microglia / cytology
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Microscopy, Phase-Contrast
  • Microscopy, Video
  • Reproducibility of Results

Substances

  • Green Fluorescent Proteins