Dr. Guillaume-Gentil from the Lab of Prof. Julia Vorholt (IMB, ETH Zurich) demonstrated how FluidFM technology can be used to selectively detach single cells out of a confluent cell layer. With a localized trypsin shower the cell is separated from its neighbors and then picked up by the FluidFM probe.
A simplified protocol could be applied to isolate suspended cells. This protocol also works for micro-organisms such as yeast or bacteria and is described in the following publication:
Guillaume-Gentil, O., Zambelli, T., & Vorholt, J. A. (2014). Isolation of single mammalian cells from adherent cultures by fluidic force microscopy. Lab on a Chip, 14(2), 402–414.
![Single cell sorting with FluidFM - Chose target cell](https://cdn.cytosurge.com/web/image/300171/singel-cell-sorting-1-400x300-min.png?access_token=1754e5f1-6b2a-4fae-b16e-76f22b0e0085)
1. Chose your target cell
Using various methods, identify the cell you would like to isolate and indicate tag it using the aiming tool of the FluidFM Arya software.
![Single cell sorting with FluidFM - Shower with trypsin](https://cdn.cytosurge.com/web/image/300172/singel-cell-sorting-2-400x300-min.png?access_token=f6793144-6c9a-4dc9-8531-6eb6c4a403c1)
2. Shower with trypsin
Engage with the chosen cell in order to isolate it from the adherent culture. A localized trypsin shower slowly detaches the chosen cell from the surface.
![Single cell sorting with FluidFM - Pick cell](https://cdn.cytosurge.com/web/image/300173/singel-cell-sorting-3-400x300-min.jpg?access_token=881b4289-d1db-427f-a384-01492b7fc4f2)
3. Pick your cell
The cell can now be gently picked up with the FluidFM probe and placed into a target container of your choice such as a multi-well plate.
Single Cell Sorting with FluidFM
Isolate adherent or suspended cells.