Single lymphocyte analysis with a microwell array chip

Abstract

Following genomics and proteomics, cytomics, a novel method of looking at life, has emerged for analyzing large populations of cells on a single‐cell basis with multiple parameters in a quantitative manner. We have developed a highly integrated live‐cell microarray system for analyzing the cellular responses of individual cells using a microwell array chip that has 234,000 microwells each of which is just large enough to fit a single cell. Compared with flow cytometry and microscope‐based methods, our system can analyze the history of the cellular responses of a large number of cells. We have successfully applied the system to analyze human antigen‐specific B‐cells and produced human monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) against hepatitis B virus surface antigen. We have also constructed a mouse system to assess hepatitis B virus‐neutralization activity and have demonstrated the neutralization activity of our antibodies. Our technology should expand the horizons of cell analysis as well as enable generation of human MoAb for antibody‐based therapeutics and diagnosis for infectious diseases such as hepatitis viruses. © 2007 International Society for Analytical Cytology