CITCO contributes to national collaboration on advanced single-cell analysis of CAR T cells
Close cooperation between academic and industry partners can advance the development of next-generation cell-based therapies
As part of a collaboration with biotechnology company Samplix, CITCO has contributed to a newly published JoVE video article showcasing a double-emulsion droplet-based assay for single-cell assessment of CAR T-cell cytotoxic function.
Developed using Samplix’s Xdrop microfluidics technology, the method encapsulates individual CAR T cells together with single target cells inside microscopic droplets, allowing simultaneous measurement of cytotoxic effector molecule secretion (Granzyme B) and target cell death. Using this approach, the study demonstrated that CAR T-cell populations are highly heterogeneous, with some cells exhibiting potent cytotoxic activity while others are less active. This single-cell resolution reveals how individual CAR T cells perform and uncovers functional differences that traditional bulk assays cannot detect.
The collaboration brings together Samplix’s advanced microfluidics technology with CITCO’s expertise in cellular immunotherapy, showing how close cooperation between academic and industry partners can advance the development of next-generation cell-based therapies.
The article has already attracted wide interest, with over 1,000 views, and can be watched here.