Cellular biology research has benefitted from the technological advances made in cytometry. This company will utilize its patented "fluid resistor" to produce an instrument with microchannels and valves small enough to sort cells individually. This will allow not only fluid sorting but also stopped-flow image analysis of individual cells. Potentially this instrument will be less expensive than current cell sorters because less costly light sources can be used if the analysis time can be increased. That would make this important technology available to more research facilities. Phase I will consist of improving the geometry of the channels, decreasing valve cycle time, and testing the system using particles and cells.
