| abstract |
A convenient way of isolating individual cells permits individual analysis of their contents. A capture support for individually capturing cells of interest comprises a first surface including at least one well sized to accommodate an individual cell, wherein the support is made of a differentially permeable material which permits transfer of a solvent and any low molecular weight species through the support from a second surface of the support to a well, but which is substantially impermeable to biopolymers. Single cells are captured, their contents are released, and the contents of individual cells are then analysed within a chamber containing suitable analytical components e.g. immobilised nucleic acid probes, immobilised antibodies, etc. Analysis of a single cell's genome, transcriptome, proteome, etc. thus becomes possible. |