Microfluidic system and method for isolating and quantifying at least one sub-population of cells from a population of cells

Abstract

Disclosed are a microfluidic system () configured to receive cell populations and further configured to simultaneously isolate and quantify at least one sub-population of cells for each cell population, and related methods of using the system. The system comprises a substrate having networks of microchannels comprising a first sorting unit configured to isolate, by magnetic attraction, cells of interest in the population in at least one first sorting microchannel. The network comprises a second unit for simultaneous sorting and counting comprising at least one second sorting microchannel defined by a closed wall having an inner face provided with at least one functionalised electrode configured to trap a sub-population. The second unit further comprising means for counting the sub-population by impedance spectroscopy. The second sorting microchannel can have at least one pair of opposing functionalised electrodes and at least one pair of second micro-coils for trapping the cells of interest arranged in the wall facing the electrodes and controlling successive attraction/release cycles that alternate between the micro-coils.