Integrated microfluidic device for coupled protein expression and drug response on individual cancer cells

We present a novel, high-throughput method to stimulate single cells with static or dynamic biochemical stimuli, while continuously monitoring individual cellular response. Single cells are encapsulated in hydrogel droplets and stored on a high density array of surface energy traps in a microfluidic chip. Our device enables studies of cellular individuality and can uncover the correlation between responses to subsequently applied stimuli at the single cell level, while working with a large population of cells. To demonstrate the technical abilities of the chip, we perform an on-chip immunofluorescence staining of cancer cells, followed by the application of an anti-tumor drug.