Cell sorting and selection using degradable hydrogels

Abstract

Described herein are systems and methods for sorting and selecting cells by immobilizing or enclosing cells in degradable hydrogel chambers, including a method of sorting cells comprising: (a) providing a fluidics device comprising: (i) a channel comprising a surface, (ii) a spatial energy modulation element in optical communication with the surface, and (iii) a detector in optical communication with the surface and in operable association with the spatial energy modulating element, the detector identifying cells and determining positions thereof on the surface; (b) loading the channel with cells and one or more polymer precursors so that the cells are disposed on or adjacent to the surface; (c) immobilizing one or more cells selected based on one or more optical signals therefrom by synthesizing one or more gel structures enclosing each of the one or more cells by projecting light into the channel with the spatial energy modulating element such that the projected light causes cross-linking of the one or more polymer precursors to form gel structures, wherein the positions of the gel structures in the channel are determined by the positions of the cells enclosed thereby identified by the detector; and (d) removing from the channel unselected cells.