APPLICATIONS
Isolation of Rare Cells
Unlocking the Secrets of Disease
What are Rare Cells?
Rare cells are exceptionally uncommon cells found within a vast population of background cells. Typically, a cell is considered rare if fewer than 1,000 are present in a one-milliliter sample. Rare cells can be difficult to isolate due to their scarcity, fragility, and variable size. Conventional separation techniques often struggle to capture rare cells efficiently, limiting research and diagnostic potential. Identifying and studying rare cells, such as circulating tumour cells (CTCs), is crucial for understanding disease mechanisms and developing advanced medical therapies.
Rare Cell Populations
Circulating Tumour Cells (CTCs)
Circulating Tumour Cells (CTCs) are rare cells that detach from a primary tumour and enter the bloodstream, playing a crucial role in metastasis. Detecting and analysing these rare CTCs provides invaluable insights for early diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and personalised therapies. The most effective method to isolate CTCs is cell picking, offering unmatched precision and purity. By selectively capturing these rare cells, researchers can advance scientific understanding of tumour biology and develop innovative approaches in cancer research.
1–10 CTCs per ml of blood
Stem Cells
Stem cells are undifferentiated rare cells capable of developing into specialised cell types, making them crucial for medical research and regenerative therapies. This includes induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, which can be reprogrammed from adult cells and used to model diseases. Isolating stem cells is challenging: embryonic stem cells are fragile and scarce, and adult stem cells are difficult to locate. The gentlest and most precise method is cell picking, which preserves cell health and physiology while enabling accurate isolation for advanced research applications.
Stem cells divide in 24–36 hours
Isolate Rare and Single Cells with Precision
MMI enables researchers to isolate rare and single cells with exceptional precision. The MMI CellEctor employs a microcapillary and nanoliter pump to isolate rare cells from suspension, including CTCs, supporting both manual and fully automated workflows.
How to Isolate Rare Cells with MMI CellEctor?
The MMI CellEctor allows precise manual or automated cell picking. Cell identification can also be assisted using cell segmentation software, such as the CellDetector. The process is contamination-free, supports diverse sample types, and offers flexible, customisable workflows. Users can select wells for picking, deposition, and rinsing across various slide-based platforms.
