Image-based single-cell isolation in high-density seeded cells using photoactivatable surfaces.

We developed an image-based cell isolation method utilizing a photoactivatable cell anchoring surface. After microscopically imaging the cell population on the substrate, target single cells were selectively and rapidly anchored for isolation through localized light irradiation. This approach enabled precise isolation of single cells even from densely packed seeded cells. This capability for high-throughput microscopic screening of vast cell populations provides a practical means for the detection and isolation of rare cells present at extremely low frequencies. As a proof of concept, circulating tumor cells were precisely isolated from the blood sample of a tumor-bearing mouse. This method offers a robust platform for rare cell isolation from large and dense cell populations, supporting more precise applications in cell analysis, diagnostics, and personalized medicine.