Magnetic Flow Cytometry

We develop magnetic biosensors incorporating magnetophoretic single-cell manipulation and in-flow detection of biological specimen by magnetoresistive sensor devices. Mimicking cell rolling, as found in endothelial vessels, our approach allows us to perform highly specific and sensitive single-cell characterization. Quantitative volumetric information, immunomagnetic binding capacity, and morphological parameters can be obtained on a single-cell level even in complex biological matrices. Thus, our integrated approach allows for minimized sample preparation effort and analysis in a native cellular environment such as unprocessed whole blood.

We further work on the workflow integration of biosensors and microfluidics in total analytical systems. In this way, we achieve the translation of Lab-on-a-Chip platforms to preclinical and clinical applications, including an adaptive and scalable cell enrichment concept to overcome the spatial resolutions of biosensors.

Literature and Intellectual Property (selection)

Leuthner, M., Helou, M., Reisbeck, M., Hayden, O.: Advancing magnetic flow cytometry to quantitative epitope analysis in high hematocrit conditions for point-of-care testing. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 2025, 268, 116867. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2024.116867

Leuthner M., Reisbeck M., Helou M., Hayden O.: Towards a Point-of-Care Test of CD4+ T Lymphocyte Concentrations for Immune Status Monitoring with Magnetic Flow Cytometry. Micromachines. 2024; 15(4):520. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15040520

Reisbeck M., Richter L., Helou M. J., Arlinghaus S., Anton B., van Dommelen I., Nitzsche M., Baßler M., Kappes B., Friedrich O., Hayden O.: Hybrid integration of scalable mechanical and magnetophoretic focusing for magnetic flow cytometry. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 2018, 109, 98-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2018.02.046

Reisbeck M., Helou M. J., Richter L., Kappes B., Friedrich O., Hayden O.: Magnetic fingerprints of rolling cells for quantitative flow cytometry in whole blood. Scientific Reports, 2016, 6, 32838. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep32838

Leuthner, M., Brändle, F., Hayden, O.: Method and device for detecting a concentration of at least one analyte in a sample. European patent application EP4592678A1, 2025.

Reisbeck, M., Helou, M., Richter, L., Hayden, O.: Cartridge for a magnetic flow cytometer, a magnetic flow cytometer, and method for analysing a sample with such a cartridge. World Intellectual Property Organization patent application WO2015176744A1, 2015.

Helou, M., Richter, L., Hayden, O.: Method for enriching and isolating cells having concentrations over several logarithmic steps. World Intellectual Property Organization patent application WO2014114530A1, 2014.

Helou, M., Tedde, S. F., Hayden, O.: Fluidic cell guidance for flow cytometry. World Intellectual Property Organization patent application WO2013014146A1, 2013.

Helou, M., Reisbeck, M., Tedde, S. F., Hayden, O.: Background-free magnetic flow cytometry. World Intellectual Property Organization patent application WO2012175374A1, 2012.

Technology Transfer

Extracellular vesicle and protein quantification: ExoSphere

Single cell analysis at the point-of-care: EarlyBio GmbH