Inducing cell rotation in a microfluidic device by hydrodynamic forces

The realization of a novel microfluidic device for inducing cell rotation is reported. It exploits the hydrodynamic forces acting on cells moving in a flow characterized by a parabolic velocity profile. The device operation was tested on yeast cells, since they have an asymmetrical shape due to a bud formation during the duplication phase. Image processing analysis of the experimental data allowed to precisely evaluate the cell angular orientation and rotation rate.