Characterization of Single Yeast Cell Phenotypes Using Microfluidic Impedance Cytometry and Optical Imaging

Single-cell impedance cytometry is a noninvasive method for characterizing the dielectric properties of individual cells. The method has been used for counting and sizing of cells and particles, as well as for discriminating between different cell types in a label-free manner. However, finding a relationship between a specific cell phenotype and the corresponding measured impedance remains a challenging problem. This paper reports on a platform that combines a microfluidic impedance cytometer with a high-speed camera in order to allow for characterizing the physical morphology of single cells in parallel with the dielectric properties. This enables the extraction of signatures in the impedance data that can be associated with specific morphological phenotypes. We demonstrate the functionality of the platform by developing such signatures for discriminating between single and budding yeast cells.