System and method for isolating and analyzing cells

A method for isolating and analyzing a population of target particles in single-particle format, the method comprising:

• providing a device comprising:
• a substrate having a broad surface, an inlet, and a set of wells defined at the broad surface of the substrate and in fluid communication with the inlet, the set of wells arranged in a packed configuration and comprising an interior subset and an exterior subset surrounding the interior subset, wherein each well in the set of wells is configured to receive and retain a target particle of the population of target particles and comprises:
• a base surface defined within the substrate, and an open surface directly opposing the base surface, defined at the broad surface of the substrate, and sized to receive a single particle of the population of target particles from a direction perpendicular to the broad surface of the substrate, and
• a plate coupled to the substrate and defining a fluid reservoir between the plate and the set of wells of the substrate;
• receiving the population of target particles into the inlet of the substrate, thereby capturing and isolating the population of target particles in single-particle format within the set of wells;
• receiving a process reagent into each of the set of wells, thereby providing diffusive delivery of the process reagent to each of the set of wells;
• and
• delivering a target particle of the population of target particles into a cell removal module, upon application of a force to contents of a well of the set of wells.