Work

Integrated Size-Selective Cell Purification and Electroporation for Genetic Manipulation of Primary Cells

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Biologically relevant primary cell samples are inherently heterogeneous and often require selective enrichment prior to genetic manipulation. We previously demonstrated a vortex-assisted microfluidic platform that integrates size-selective cell trapping with electroporation; however, its limited processing capacity constrained applications requiring larger sample volumes. Here, we present a scaled version of this integrated system achieved through electrode array redesign and electrical optimization. The updated architecture increases processing capacity while preserving size-selective trapping behavior, electric field uniformity, and device stability. Systematic optimization of electrical and buffer conditions enables efficient delivery of plasmid DNA and in vitro-transcribed mRNA into primary human cells, with performance approaching benchmark chemical transfection methods. By scaling an integrated trapping-electroporation workflow without compromising delivery performance, this platform advances microfluidic cell engineering toward practical processing of heterogeneous primary cell samples.

Source: Micromachines

DOI: 10.3390/mi17030359

Authors: Hyun Woo Sung, Soojung Claire Hur

Institutions: Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center

Language: English

Topic: Microfluidic and Bio-sensing Technologies

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,534

Funders: Johns Hopkins University, Susan G. Komen North Carolina, National Institutes of Health