A critical challenge in enabling tissue replacement therapies is the purification of desired phenotypes from stem cell-derived populations. Dr. Myers's dissertation work at UC Berkeley involved the development of a new cell sorting modality based on electrophysiology.
“Electrophysiology-activated cell sorting” (EPACS) was developed as a label-free method for purifying stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and other electrically-active cell populations. The system worked by electrically stimulating individual cells within a microfluidic device, analyzing their electrophysiological response using microfabricated extracellular field potential electrodes, and sorting them using on-chip microfluidic valves. The project involved the development of a custom microfluidic device and associated electronic hardware for stimulation and low noise recording of cells in suspension. Experiments were conducted with live stem-cell derived populations as well as primary cardiomyocytes.
Read more about the project here:
