High-throughput single-cell sorting and kinetic analysis of secreted particles

 描述（由申请人提供）：试剂和分析工具的进步改善了细胞表型的表征。然而，大多数研究仍然是在形态和遗传上同质的细胞群上进行的，但具有重要的生物学异质性;单个细胞具有独特的表型或“组学特征”。这导致单个细胞的平均测量，其中没有一个实际上是平均的。单细胞分析可以定义群体内细胞间变异的范围，并在干细胞分化或癌症等背景下提供对单个特殊细胞的深入分析，这些细胞可以产生驱动生物学的克隆群体。虽然多参数流式细胞术、质谱流式细胞术和基于图像的细胞术等新工具提供了对单个细胞的深入分析，但这些技术仅提供单个时间点“快照”，缺乏下游分子分析。该项目将开发一种集成的细胞分选和单细胞定位设备，以便随着时间的推移跟踪和测量单细胞。该系统将使用传统的多孔板格式，允许使用现有的显微镜和分析平台。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Advances in reagents and analytical tools have improved characterization of cellular phenotypes. However, most studies are still performed on cell populations that are morphologically and genetically homogeneous, yet have important biological heterogeneity; with individual cells having unique phenotypic or `omic profiles. This leads to an average measurement of individual cells, none of which may actually be average. Single-cell analysis can define the scope of cell-to-cell variations within a population and provid in-depth analysis of single, exceptional cells in contexts such as stem cell differentiation or cancer, where these cells can give rise to clonal populations that drive the biology. While novel tools such as multiparameter flow cytometry, mass cytometry, and image-based cytometry provide in-depth analysis of individual cells, these technologies only provide a single time point "snapshot" and lack downstream molecular analysis. This project will develop a integrated cell-sorting and single-cell positioning device to allow single cells to be tracked and measured over time. This system will use a conventional multi-well plate format allowing the use of existing microscopy and analysis platforms.