Magnetic Flow Cytometry

We develop magnetic biosensors incorporating magnetophoretic single-cell manipulation and in-flow detection of biological specimen by magnetoresistive sensor devices. Mimicking cell rolling, as found in endothelial vessels, our approach allows us to perform highly specific and sensitive single-cell characterization. Quantitative volumetric information, immunomagnetic binding capacity, and morphological parameters can be obtained on a single-cell level even in complex biological matrices. Thus, our integrated approach allows for minimized sample preparation effort and analysis in a native cellular environment such as unprocessed whole blood.

We further work on the workflow integration of biosensors and microfluidics in total analytical systems. In this way, we achieve the translation of Lab-on-a-Chip platforms to preclinical and clinical applications, including an adaptive and scalable cell enrichment concept to overcome the spatial resolutions of biosensors.

Literature and topological reviews

Leuthner, M., Helou, M., Reisbeck, M., Hayden, O.: Advancing magnetic flow cytometry to quantitative epitope analysis in high hematocrit conditions for point-of-care testing. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 2025, 268, 116867. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2024.116867

Leuthner M., Reisbeck M., Helou M., Hayden O.: Towards a Point-of-Care Test of CD4+ T Lymphocyte Concentrations for Immune Status Monitoring with Magnetic Flow Cytometry. Micromachines. 2024; 15(4):520. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15040520

Reisbeck M., Richter L., Helou M. J., Arlinghaus S., Anton B., van Dommelen I., Nitzsche M., Baßler M., Kappes B., Friedrich O., Hayden O.: Hybrid integration of scalable mechanical and magnetophoretic focusing for magnetic flow cytometry. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 2018, 109, 98-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2018.02.046

Reisbeck M., Helou M. J., Richter L., Kappes B., Friedrich O., Hayden O.: Magnetic fingerprints of rolling cells for quantitative flow cytometry in whole blood. Scientific Reports, 2016, 6, 32838. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep32838

Weiz S. M., Medina-Sánchez M., Schmidt O. G.: Microsystems for Single-Cell Analysis. Advanced Biosystems, 2018, 2, 2, 1700193. https://doi.org/10.1002/adbi.201700193

Lee H., Shin T.-H., Cheon J., Weissleder R.: Recent Developments in Magnetic Diagnostic Systems. Chemical Reviews, 2015, 115, 19, 10690-10724. https://doi.org/10.1021/cr500698d