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Rapid Clonal Growth Measurements at the Single-Cell Level: Gel Microdroplets and Flow Cytometry

Bio/Technology volume 9, pages 873–877 (1991)Cite this article

Abstract

We describe a new, general method for rapidly measuring clonal growth of large numbers of individual members of a cell population. This method is based on microculture of individual colony-forming units in gel microdrops (GMDs; here aga-rose; 20 to 90μ in diameter), which are sufficiently robust to be handled much like cells, and diffusionally transparent for molecules of interest. Flow cytometry provides rapid measurements of GMD-entrapped microcolonies, and permits sub-population analysis. Here the method is demonstrated with mammalian, fungal and bacterial species. Additional results illustrate rapid determination of a drug-resistant subpopulation in a mixed species sample, and nutrient sensitivity for a murine hybridoma.

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Author notes

  1. James C. Weaver: To whom correspondence should be addressed at: 20A-128, M.I.T., Cambridge, MA 02139.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Harvard-M.I.T. Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139

    James C. Weaver, Jonathan G. Bliss, Kevin T. Powell, Gail I. Harrison & Gregory B. Williams

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  1. James C. Weaver
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  4. Gail I. Harrison
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Weaver, J., Bliss, J., Powell, K. et al. Rapid Clonal Growth Measurements at the Single-Cell Level: Gel Microdroplets and Flow Cytometry. Nat Biotechnol 9, 873–877 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0991-873

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