Chip identifies cells by their electrical signature, then separates them with a precisely aimed sound wave

In biomedicine, sorting cells accurately without damaging them remains a persistent problem. Current methods, like fluorescence-activated cell sorting, rely on labeling the cells extrinsically, which can stress the cells, alter their behavior and even interfere with the assay. A collaborative study between researchers in Singapore and China has now developed a noninvasive, label-free method to sort cells.