Nucleus extraction from cells by optical-induced cell lysis on a continuous flow platform

Nucleus extraction from cells is essential for a variety of biomedical applications. In this study, we have developed a microfluidic platform integrated with optical-induced dielectrophoresis (ODEP) and optical-induced cell lysis (OICL) techniques combined with a hydrodynamic focusing module for continuous single cell membrane lysis and nucleus extraction. This OICL chip was formed with indium-tin-oxide (ITO) glass and a photoconductive (amorphous silicon, a-Si) layer. The light was illuminated on a-Si to induce a non-uniform electric field, which then generated a transmembrane potential across the cell membrane, thus causing the disruption of cell membrane without damaging the nucleus. Therefore, we could use an optical-induced non-uniform electric field to continuously and selectively lyse the cell membrane and then collect the nucleus by using the ODEP force using different light patterns. These techniques may become a promising method for molecular cytogenetic investigations and nucleus transfer.