Device for cell treatment

A flow-through microfluidic apparatus for cell treatment, comprising:

• a flow chamber;
• and
• a three-dimensional (3D) microelectrode array disposed in the flow chamber and configured to produce electrical fields for cell railing, electroporation, and sorting;
• wherein the flow chamber comprises a sample flow region, a first sheath flow region, and a second sheath flow region;
• wherein the sample flow region has a first input allowing a sample flow of a plurality of cells and one or more exogenous agents to enter the sample flow region, a first output allowing cells that are damaged to exit from the flow chamber, and a first fluid channel region having a first path defined therein between the first input and the first output and configured for the cells and the exogenous agents to flow;
• wherein the first sheath flow region has a second input configured to allow a first sheath flow to enter the first sheath flow region, a second output configured to allow viable transfected cells to exit from the flow chamber, and a second fluid channel region having a second path defined therein between the second input and the second output and configured for the first sheath flow to flow;
• wherein the second sheath flow region has a third input configured to allow a second sheath flow to enter the second sheath flow region and a third output to allow the second sheath flow to exit from the second sheath flow region, and
• wherein the same 3D microelectrode array that rails the cells is further configured to apply electroporation pulses to the railing cells and to concurrently dielectrophoretically sort viable electroporated cells from damaged cells, such that damaged cells experience a weakened dielectrophoretic (DEP) force and are released from microelectrode tracks.