POSITIVE SELECTION SORTING OF CELLS

摘要

A method and apparatus for positive selection of viable cells based upon differing chemical or physical properties or dynamic processes using a focussed radiant energy beam, such as a laser beam (11) to kill unwanted cells is described. The apparatus includes a microscope (14) with a photomultiplier (27) which is used to selectively detect light from certain cells produced by an attenuated laser beam irradiating the cells for identifying the cells to be killed or saved. Based upon identification, selected cells to be killed are exposed to the unattenuated laser beam.