Micro/extended-nano sampling interface from a living single cell.

Single-cell analysis is of increasing importance in many fields, but is challenging due to the ultra-small volumes (picoliters) of single cells. Indeed, analysis of a specific analyte might require the analysis of a single molecule or several molecules. Analytical processes usually include sampling, chemical processing, and detection. Although several papers have reported chemical processing and detection methods for single cells, a sampling method compatible with maintaining the viability of a single cell during sampling has yet to be developed. Here, we propose a femtoliter sampling method from a living single cell using micro/nanofluidic device technology. The sampling of 39 fL of cytoplasm from a single human aortic endothelial cell was demonstrated and its viability after sampling was confirmed.