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Computer simulations of the energy dissipation rate in a fluorescence‐activated cell sorter: Implications to cells
Author(s) -
Mollet Mike,
GodoySilva Ruben,
Berdugo Claudia,
Chalmers Jeffrey J.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.21762
Subject(s) - nozzle , chinese hamster ovary cell , dissipation , cell sorting , cell culture , sorting , mechanics , fluid dynamics , materials science , biophysics , chemistry , cell , physics , biology , thermodynamics , computer science , biochemistry , genetics , programming language
Fluorescence activated cell sorting, FACS, is a widely used method to sort subpopulations of cells to high purities. To achieve relatively high sorting speeds, FACS instruments operate by forcing suspended cells to flow in a single file line through a laser(s) beam(s). Subsequently, this flow stream breaks up into individual drops which can be charged and deflected into multiple collection streams. Previous work by Ma et al. (2002) and Mollet et al. (2007; Biotechnol Bioeng 98:772–788) indicates that subjecting cells to hydrodynamic forces consisting of both high extensional and shear components in micro‐channels results in significant cell damage. Using the fluid dynamics software FLUENT®, computer simulations of typical fluid flow through the nozzle of a BD FACSVantage indicate that hydrodynamic forces, quantified using the scalar parameter energy dissipation rate, are similar in the FACS nozzle to levels reported to create significant cell damage in micro‐channels. Experimental studies in the FACSVantage, operated under the same conditions as the simulations confirmed significant cell damage in two cell lines, Chinese Hamster Ovary cells (CHO) and THP1, a human acute monocytic leukemia cell line. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;100: 260–272. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.