Magnetophoretic Cell Sorting: Comparison of Different 3D-Printed Millifluidic Devices

Abstract

Cell sorting is a highly applicable technology for multiple biological, biotechnological, and medical applications. Magnetic cell sorting can be realized with microfluidic and millifluidic flow cells. Additive manufacturing and 3D printing allow for fast prototyping and validating separation processes on this small scale. Therefore, our novel approach is to use this technology to print millifluidic channels and to directly evaluate them on their magnetic separation performance and their handling for cell manipulation. In this study, two different flow cells manufactured with a 3D printer are compared in regard to their use for the magnetic cell sorting of algae. One linear flow cell geometry and one spiraling flow cell geometry have been investigated with perpendicular magnetic fields. Iron oxide nanoparticles have been synthesized and characterized prior to their use as a magnetic label for algae cells. Particle uptake by algae are investigated by a phenanthroline assay, and the particle/algae mixtures are studied by microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, and magnetophoretic mobility measurements. Depending on magnetic susceptibility, the cells undergo different magnetophoretic forces. Interestingly, the spiraling geometry leads to a better fractionation of algae cells in accordance with their iron oxide load.