Methods for Preparing Therapeutically Active Cells Using Microfluidics

A method for preparing T cells from a sample that has been obtained from a patient and which comprises T cells and platelets, said method comprising:

• a) purifying the T cells from the sample by a combination of:
• i) a size based separation on a microfluidic device, wherein the device comprises:
• aa) at least one channel extending from a sample inlet to fluid outlets;
• bb) obstacles that are disposed in the channel such that when the sample is applied to the sample inlet and passed through the channel, T cells are diverted from the direction of bulk fluid flow to one or more collection outlets where an enriched product is collected and platelets follow the direction of bulk fluid flow to one or more waste outlets that are separate from the one or more collection outlets;
• ii) an affinity separation that is performed in addition to the size based separation;
• and
• b) expanding the T cells purified in step a) by culturing the T cells;
• wherein the T cells prepared by the method comprise a higher percentage of central memory T cells than the percentage of central memory T cells in the sample prior to performing the method.

A method for preparing T cells from a sample that has been obtained from a patient and that comprises T cells and platelets, said method comprising:

• a) purifying the T cells from the sample by a combination of:
• i) deterministic lateral displacement (DLD);
• ii) an affinity separation that is performed in addition to said DLD;
• and
• b) expanding the T cells purified in step a) by culturing the T cells;
• wherein the T cells prepared by the method comprise a higher percentage of central memory T cells than the percentage of central memory T cells in the sample prior to performing the method.