Abstract 4585: Exploiting intrinsic bioelectrical signatures for label-free immune cell sorting

Abstract Immune cell separation from heterogeneous samples is crucial for various downstream research applications. Standard methods for cell purification are laborious and require additional fluorescent or magnetic labels to identify cells of interest. Approaches contingent upon the use of labels may interfere with downstream testing and analysis, like single cell sequencing or downstream oncology research. Label-free cell sorting by electrokinetic dielectrophoresis (DEP) has recently been used to characterize and separate target subpopulations from complex samples. Available literature describes the use of DEP for isolation and enrichment of limited cell types. However, technical challenges and uncertainty have restricted DEP's commercialization and widespread implementation for biological use. To address this pitfall, we have exploited the strength of the CytoR1 platform for label-free sorting of T-cells, B-cells, and monocytes from bulk sample preparations. Characterization and isolation of these cells will support the CytoR1 platform's capabilities. Variables like frequency, voltage, and flow rate are incorporated in the profiling of target cells, facilitating the development of custom workflows to enrich individual immune cell populations from heterogeneous samples without labels. Platform validation will involve downstream fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and potential RNA sequencing to confirm the accuracy of label-free sorting. Here, we introduce a workflow implementing a microfluidics-based, benchtop cell-sorting technology, the CytoR1, for precise enrichment and capture of unlabeled target cell populations. Citation Format: Dean E. Thomas, Ilyssa E. Ramos, Kyle S. Kinskie, Kyle M. Brown, James M. Cherry, Alexandra R. Hyler. Exploiting intrinsic bioelectrical signatures for label-free immune cell sorting [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 4585.