Method and apparatus for tracking cell identity
A method of tracking cell identity across analytical platforms uses stochastic barcoding (SB). SB uses a randomly generated code based on one or more of the number, color and position of beads encapsulated together with a set of cells of interest. SB use is demonstrated in an application where cells are transferred from a microwell array into a microtiter plate while keeping their identity, and obtained an average identification accuracy of 96% for transfer of 100 blocks. Model scaling of the method up to 1000 blocks demonstrated that SB is able to achieve approximately 90% accuracy.
1. A method of tracking cell identity comprising:
adding a polymer solution with a plurality of markers into a block of a single cell microwell arrays;
encapsulating the single cell in a matrix including a plurality of markers; and
imaging the encapsulated cell to create a stochastic barcode determined by number, color, and position of the markers within the matrix, wherein the stochastic barcode is assigned to the single cell.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the markers include polymer beads.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the polymer beads include emissive polymer beads.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the polymer beads are colored.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the number of colors is two to six.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the number of colors is three.
7. The method of claim 4 , wherein the number of colors is four.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the matrix is a hydrogel.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
imaging of arrays to assign a random code based on the plurality of markers;
transferring arrays into a microtiter plate; and
imaging arrays after transfer to read the code.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the random code is assigned based on the number, color, size, and/or position of markers in the matrix.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the encapsulation step includes photopolymerizing or chemical polymerization or thermal polymerization.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein assigning a random code includes using a machine learning algorithm.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the markers include polymer beads.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the polymer beads include emissive polymer beads.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the polymer beads are colored.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the number of colors is two to six.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the number of colors is three.
18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the number of colors is four.
19. The method of claim 9 , wherein the matrix is a hydrogel.
20. The method of claim 13 , wherein approximately one hundred cells in an array may be uniquely coded with an average of eight beads per encapsulated cell.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein an average of fifteen beads per encapsulated cell yields an approximate 100 percent matching accuracy.
22. The method of claim 9 , wherein an average of fifteen beads per encapsulated cell yields an approximate 90 percent matching accuracy for one thousand cells.