On the hydrodynamic mutual interactions among cells for high-throughput microfluidic holographic cyto-tomography

In digital holography (DH) modality for lab on chip application the cells passing through the field of view (FOV) of the microscope can be detected and analyzed even if they are flowing at different depths. In fact, in-focus imaging of each cell can be easily retrieved thanks to the ability of DH to obtain numerical focus ex-post the recording process. An advantageous and preferred configuration for DH in flow-cytometry modality provides that the cells rotate along the microfluidic channel. This gives the unique chance to probing cells by light beams alongside many different directions while they cross the holographic FOV. Thus, it is possible to retrieve the 3D refractive index map of each flowing cell, i.e. a 3D phase-contrast tomogram. Although many cells can be analyzed in the same FOV, thus giving the possibility to increase the throughput of the system, until now no investigations have been made to establish how close the cells can be to avoid mutual disturbing effects on their rotation. Nevertheless, to estimate the maximum achievable throughput, it is indispensable to comprehend the effects of hydrodynamic interactions on adjacent cells in a tomographic flow cytometer. Here we show by means of an experimental and a numerical simulation of the fluid dynamics that hydrodynamic interactions have a quantitative effect on cells rotational behavior and neither on their mechanical deformation. However, in the considered scenario we demonstrate that the effect is negligible as it does not affect the possibility of recovering the tomograms. The reported results will allow to estimate which is the optimum density of cells to analyze by the holographic flow-cyto-tomograph thus opening the route for biomedical applications.

Automated summary

In the application of digital holography (DH) for lab on chip, cells passing through the microscope's field of view can be detected and analyzed even if they are flowing at different depths. This is achieved by retrieving in-focus imaging of each cell through DH. The preferred configuration for DH in flow-cytometry mode involves the rotation of cells along the microfluidic channel, allowing for the retrieval of 3D refractive index maps of flowing cells. Hydrodynamic interactions were investigated and found to have a quantitative effect on cell rotation but not on cell deformation, with the effect being negligible in terms of tomogram recovery.