# Microfluidic system for complete and automated dissociation of tumor tissue into single cells

> **NIH NIH R43** · KINO DISCOVERY, INC. · 2022 · $311,322

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Solid tumors contain diverse cellular ecosystems, and this heterogeneity has been implicated as a key factor
driving disease progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. Hence, identifying the presence and function of
each cell subtype is needed to fully understand tumor drivers and guide therapeutic decisions. Increasingly,
single cell analysis methods are being used to define cellular subsets within tumors to address biological and
therapeutic questions. A method that is rapidly emerging is single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), which
enables identification of cell type and function based on the transcriptome. However, tumor tissue must first be
converted into single cells, and this step is a critical barrier to more widespread use of single cell analysis
methods, particularly in clinical settings. Standard tissue dissociation protocols involve several manual steps
that are slow, inefficient, and highly variable. Commercial systems only accomplish part of the workflow and
are not well-characterized. In previous work, we developed novel microfluidic digestion, dissociation, and
filtration devices that utilized hydrodynamic forces to break down tissue into single cells. We recently combined
the devices into a platform and attained excellent results for various murine tissues, including breast tumors.
Specifically, the device platform significantly enhanced single cell recovery and decreased cell subtype biasing.
To date, these devices have not been applied to human tumor specimen. In this proposal, we will develop a
powerful tumor dissociation platform that can perform the entire workflow in a fast, efficient, and gentle manner.
We will focus on creating a prototype benchtop fluidic system that contains all of the necessary components
(i.e. pumps, valves, monitoring capabilities, control software) to operate the microfluidic cartridges in an optimal
and automated manner. We will first create the system and perform basic feasibility and quality control tests.
We will then optimize performance of the fluidic system and microfluidic cartridges using a murine breast tumor
model, with single cells analyzed by flow cytometry and scRNA-seq. As part of this work, we will also increase
tissue sample size so that entire tumor resections can be processed. Finally, we will perform a small validation
study using human breast tumor specimens. The Specific Aims for this 6 month project include (1) create the
prototype fluidic system, (2) optimize fluidic system using murine tumor tissue, and (3) validate performance
using human breast tumor specimen. The single cell analysis market is expected to grow robustly, driven by
growing biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, rise in single cell genomics, and applicability to cancer
for basic research and personalized medicine. Our microfluidic dissociation technologies are poised to make a
significant impact on the single cell analysis of tumor tissues by making it easier and more reliable to prepare
s...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10485032
- **Project number:** 1R43CA272118-01
- **Recipient organization:** KINO DISCOVERY, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Francis Duhay
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $311,322
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10485032

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10485032, Microfluidic system for complete and automated dissociation of tumor tissue into single cells (1R43CA272118-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10485032. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*