Enabling precise manipulation of cells using Aurosphere magnetic beads

Precise control and separation of cancer cells are a very fascinating and attractive topic and has a great significance for healthcare and early diagnosis research. Using Magnostics Aurosphere magnetic beads, a research group in University College Dublin, Ireland, demonstrated control of cells on a micro-fabricated chip.

They used a silicon-based micro-fabricated chip, which can be manufactured in a large-scale using standard microfabrication fab and reduces the cost significantly, that is composed of millions microscopic magnets on chip surface. Combined with a programable magnetic field, the chip is capable of moving microscopic Aurosphere magnetic beads in a well-controlled manner, such as changing moving direction, at different speed, and focusing.

In another demonstration, Aurosphere magnetic beads were separated based on their size differences to different paths on the chip surface.

They also demonstrated cell manipulation by using this technique. In their demonstration, the ovarian cancer cells are recognized and captured by specifically functionalized Aurosphere magnetic beads. Using micro-fabricated chip, the Aurosphere beads captured cells were moved precisely in a desired way.

More information about this research can be found here