CELL SORTING AND SELECTION USING DEGRADABLE HYDROGELS
Described herein are systems and methods for sorting and selecting cells by immobilizing or enclosing cells in degradable hydrogel chambers, including a method of sorting cells comprising: (a) providing a fluidics device comprising: (i) a channel comprising a surface, (ii) a spatial energy modulation element in optical communication with the surface, and (iii) a detector in optical communication with the surface and in operable association with the spatial energy modulating element; (b) loading the channel with cells and one or more polymer precursors so that the cells are disposed on or adjacent to the surface; (c) immobilizing one or more cells selected based on one or more optical signals therefrom by synthesizing one or more gel structures enclosing each of the one or more cells; and (d) removing from the channel unselected cells.