title: Microfluidics enables multiplex evaluation of the same cells for further studies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The continuous discovery of biomarkers and their evolving use for the diagnosis and guidance of therapy for patients with cancer has increased awareness of the need to triage biospecimens properly. On occasion, cytology samples are the only type of biospecimen available for analysis. Often, the current approach for these latter specimens is cytopathology-centric, with cells limited to examination by bright field microscopy. When specimens are paucicellular, there is often insufficient material for ancillary testing. Therefore, a need exists to develop an alternative approach that allows for the multiplexed analysis of cells when they are limited in number. In recent previous publications, we demonstrated that clinically derived cells from tissue are suitable for evaluation in a microfluidic device. In our current endeavour, we seek to expand upon those findings and determine if those same cells can be recovered for further analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A microfluidic channel was designed, fabricated and tested using cytology specimens generated from tissue specimens. The cytological features of the cells tested were examined prior to entering the channel; they were then compared to similar cells while in the channel, and upon recovery from the channel. Recovery of DNA and proteins were also tested.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The morphology of the tested cells was not compromised in either the channel or upon recovery. More importantly, the integrity of the cells remained intact, with the recovery of proteins and high molecular weight DNA possible.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We developed and tested an alternative approach to the processing of cytopathology specimens that enables multiplexed evaluation. Using microfluidics, cytological examination of biopecimens can be performed, but in contrast to existing approaches, the same cells examined can be recovered for downstream analysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Mojica
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Furlani
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sykes
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sands
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins
keywords: biomarker; cytology; diagnostics; microfluidics