Classification of cell types and isolation of targeted cells according to their imaging and spatial characteristics, beyond traditional fluorescently labeled biomarkers, enable the development of new biological insight and establishment of connections between phenotypical and morphological, and genomic cell information in normal and diseased states. Here, we demonstrate a microfluidic flow cytometer cell sorter that uses fast scanning laser excitation sources and photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), coupled with real-time image processing, to image and sort cells based on user-defined spatial features. Dozens of features, including label-free characteristics such as size, shape, scattering pattern, morphology, as well as the spatial distribution of fluorescently labeled biomarkers, greatly expand the available information space in cell analysis. The use of a disposable microfluidic cartridge that is compatible with the imaging system contributes to size reduction and lowered risk of cross contamination. The so-called cameraless design that uses PMTs to replace CCD makes the system more compatible with conventional fluorescence-activated cell sorters and user friendly, while enjoying the sensitivity and benefits of PMTs. The cell image features can be directly extracted from the temporal waveforms or from the reconstructed cell images via temporal–spatial transformation.

中文翻译：

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使用快速扫描激光的图像引导细胞分选

除了传统的荧光标记生物标志物之外，根据细胞的成像和空间特征对细胞类型进行分类和分离，还可以开发新的生物学见解，并在正常和患病状态下建立表型和形态学以及基因组细胞信息之间的联系。在这里，我们演示了一种微流式细胞仪细胞分选仪，该分选仪使用快速扫描激光激发源和光电倍增管（PMT），结合实时图像处理，根据用户定义的空间特征对细胞进行成像和分选。数十种特征，包括无标记特征，例如大小，形状，散射图案，形态以及荧光标记生物标志物的空间分布，极大地扩展了细胞分析中的可用信息空间。与成像系统兼容的一次性微流控盒的使用有助于减小尺寸并降低交叉污染的风险。所谓的使用PMT代替CCD的无相机设计，使该系统与传统的荧光激活细胞分选仪更加兼容，并且用户友好，同时又能享受PMT的灵敏度和优势。可以通过时空变换直接从时间波形或重构的细胞图像中提取细胞图像特征。同时享受PMT的敏感性和优势。可以通过时间-空间变换从时间波形或重构的细胞图像中直接提取细胞图像特征。同时享受PMT的敏感性和优势。可以通过时空变换直接从时间波形或重构的细胞图像中提取细胞图像特征。