Download A Microfluidic Device for Single Cell Isolation

because it neglects this cell to cell variability. In order to understand the heterogeneity and
inner workings of a cell population, each cell has to be analyzed individually. This enables
researchers to study the factors that influence individual cell behavior and understand
what causes the fundamental differences between cells. These differences dictate cell to cell
interactions and it is important to see how the behavior of one cell can influence those
around it and how that affects the overall health and function of the entire population (Yin
and Marshall, 2012).
2.2 Growing field
Single cell analysis is a field that has developed rapidly in the last decade, but it still
needs significant improvement and development before it can reach its full potential. At
this point people are taking many different approaches in order to determine what works
best, but there are still many unmet needs. The importance of single-cell analysis has
caught the attention of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). The agency launched a
program to fund advances in single-cell research, with a budget of $90 million over five
years. The NIH recognizes the current shortcomings and challenges that come along with
single cell analysis, but they also recognize the importance of this research and the
potential that it has to improve our understanding of cell responses which will aid in better
detection and treatment of diseases. This program funds research in a wide array of
disciplines and applications and is geared toward changing the field of single cell analysis
from a small highly specialized group of researchers, and making it more widely used and
accessible by promoting commercialization (Single Cell Analysis Program, 2015).
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