APPLICATIONS

Single Cell Isolation

Isolate Single Cells. Advance Discovery

Fundamental
Insights

Cell Isolation techniques are methods of selecting, separating, and transferring specific cells based on a property of choice to study. This is crucial for single cell analysis across various research fields as it allows for detailed examination of individual cells, cell clusters, or subcellular compartments.

This approach provides insights into cellular heterogeneity, interactions, and functions, all of which are essential for advancing our understanding of disease mechanisms, therapeutic potentials, and biological processes. With cell isolation techniques, we are able to have more precise and personalised approaches in medicine and can increase research in diverse areas such as cancer, neurobiology, stem cell research, crop science, and forensics.

Discover MMI Single Cell Solutions

Cell Isolation: Which
Techniques are used

Before starting a single cell analysis study, scientists must identify and isolate single cells. There are several very different cell isolation methods available depending on the starting material, throughput, as well as on sample requirements and downstream technologies. The starting material can be tissue, cell suspensions or cell culture.

Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS)

Efficient for high-throughput, marker-based cell isolation, but with several drawbacks. Sample preparation is labor-intensive and requires single-cell suspensions, which can be difficult for some tissues. The high flow rates and charging in FACS may reduce cell viability, affecting downstream analyses. Data interpretation is also complex, relying on accurate gating and compensation for spectral overlap. In addition, very rare cell populations with weak signals can be difficult to detect and isolate.

Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting (MACS)

Similar to FACS, MACS is also efficient for high-throughput cell isolation but has some disadvantages. It requires a large starting number of cells and can potentially cause damage or stress to cells. Additionally, the magnetic fields used in MACS can harm some cell populations, impacting their viability and function.

Microfluidics

The most commonly used method in microfluidics for cell isolation is cell-affinity chromatography, which can process large numbers of cells simultaneously, significantly increasing throughput. However, shear forces and other mechanical forces within microfluidic channels can affect cell viability and function.

Cell Picking / Micromanipulation

The technique enables the controlled separation of selected living cells from suspension, but also from fixed cells. Although it is time-consuming, it offers significant advantages for precise cell isolation. Cell picking provides a method for targeted cell isolation and CellEctor stands out as the most flexible and gentle approach available.

Laser Capture Microdissection (LMD)

A rapid and precise method for isolating and removing specific cells from complex tissues for subsequent analysis of their RNA, DNA, protein, or metabolite content. LMD is considered the gold standard for cell isolation, especially due to its gentle, flexible, and contamination-free isolation. LMD can also be applied in high-throughput workflows and, with the CellCut HT system, enables efficient and scalable processing of large sample numbers.

What is the Gold

Standard for Cell Isolation?

LMD is a powerful technique used to isolate single cells, larger region of interests (ROIs) and even subcellular compartments.

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The membrane offers good optical quality without interfering with staining and the downstream analysis. Once the ROI is isolated, it is ready for downstream analysis. Furthermore, LMD can be applied to live cells, adding more capability in a single system for a complete and powerful tool, making it a gold standard for single cell isolation.

This technology can selectively isolate single cells from various origins, such as from tissue sections, cytospins or smears, and from cell culture to perform single cell omics. LMD uses a focused ultraviolet laser on membrane-mounted sections of tissue to isolate ROIs.

Learn more about LMD for cell isolation

Cell Isolation System:

CellCut with the ZEISS Axio Observer

ZEISS Axio Observer

Inverted microscope with unparalleled imaging quality and advanced imaging capabilities.

Software

User-friendly CellTools software for controlling LMD and the microscope.

MMI CellCut

The most precise single cell isolation technique designed to be gentle on cells and ensures meaningful downstream applications.

High Throughput Options

Isolate cells into tubes, strips, or 96-well plates

ZEISS Axio Observer

Inverted microscope with unparalleled imaging quality and advanced imaging capabilities.

Software

User-friendly CellTools software for controlling LMD and the microscope.

MMI CellCut

The most precise single cell isolation technique designed to be gentle on cells and ensures meaningful downstream applications.

High Throughput Options

Isolate cells into tubes, strips, or 96-well plates

Why MMI CellCut LMD
for Cell Isolation?

The Gentlest Isolation

MMI CellCut features the cleanest laser on the market for dissection. The specialised, high-pulse laser creates an exceptionally precise cutting edge as thin as 0.3 µm, protecting the surrounding area and preserving biological information. Additionally, as the sample stage moves, the laser beam remains consistently in focus and maintains a minimal cutting edge. This makes the MMI CellCut the most delicate method for cell isolation.

High-Throughput Automation

The LMD system from MMI can be enhanced with an automated, high-throughput guided workflow for cell isolation. The CellCut HT enables the dissection of 96 samples in a 96-well plate in less than 10 minutes.

Check your efficiency with up to 100% success rate

The unique CapLift technology ensures nearly a 100% success rate in cell isolation. This technology uses an Isolation Cap with an adhesive surface that captures the sample after dissection, allowing for visual inspection of the excised sample.

Contamination-Free Isolation

During the cutting process, cell isolation is achieved without direct contact between the isolation cap and the sample. This is done using a sandwich technique, where the sample is placed between a membrane slide and a glass slide, ensuring the process remains entirely contamination-free.

Cut It All

The cell isolation system is versatile to dissect almost any type of sample. It can handle fresh frozen tissue, FFPE material, plant tissue, living cells, smears, cytospins, and more. It can also cut through thick tissues such as teeth, bones, or forensic tapes. Even living cells can be isolated without removing the culture medium, preserving cell integrity for subsequent recultivation, cloning, or single cell analysis. The integration of a climate chamber with full environmental control is also possible.

Become An Expert In 10 Minutes

The system is incredibly user-friendly, allowing you to become a professional in just 10 minutes. The intuitive software provides a user-friendly interface, enabling detailed documentation of every cell isolation step (including images and videos).

Unmatched Flexibility

The CellCut is the most flexible option for cell isolation. It supports all standard objectives and imaging modes. Additionally, the system can be upgraded with a whole slide scanner, a cell picker, and AI for detecting specific cells. If you desire further functionality for the microscope, you can consider adding a confocal, TIRF, or other modalities.

Voices from the Lab

Down to the Organelle:

Björn Krenz on Plant Cell Isolation

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Unlock the Cellular World 

Your Challenge,

Our Expertise

We work hand-in-hand with you, designing solutions that fit your unique research needs. Complex samples? Customized workflows? We handle it all—quickly and efficiently.

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