High-throughput imaging flow cytometry by optofluidic time-stretch microscopy

The ability to rapidly assay morphological and intracellular molecular variations within large heterogeneous populations of cells is essential for understanding and exploiting cellular heterogeneity. Optofluidic time-stretch microscopy is a powerful method for meeting this goal, as it enables high-throughput imaging flow cytometry for large-scale single-cell analysis of various cell types ranging from human blood to algae, enabling a unique class of biological, medical, pharmaceutical, and green energy applications. Here, we describe how to perform high-throughput imaging flow cytometry by optofluidic time-stretch microscopy. Specifically, this protocol provides step-by-step instructions on how to build an optical time-stretch microscope and a cell-focusing microfluidic device for optofluidic time-stretch microscopy, use it for high-throughput single-cell image acquisition with sub-micrometer resolution at >10,000 cells per s, conduct image construction and enhancement, perform image analysis for large-scale single-cell analysis, and use computational tools such as compressive sensing and machine learning for handling the cellular ‘big data’. Assuming all components are readily available, a research team of three to four members with an intermediate level of experience with optics, electronics, microfluidics, digital signal processing, and sample preparation can complete this protocol in a time frame of 1 month.