Label-free cytometry - Novel sorting parameters and opportunities

The inherent properties of cells and micro-organisms is an under-explored source of specificity for particle sorting. In contrast to standard immunolabeling it allows us to perform fractionation without any chemical preparation of the sample. This improves the accessibility and affordability of the technology. Our contribution in the field is to extend the scope of deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) from merely a very powerful size-based sorting scheme so that it is used to sort with respect to several other physical parameters. We have explored parameters such as shape, deformability, dielectric properties, secretion and density with potential applications in bacteriology, parasitology and oncology