Multiple laminar flow-based particle and cellular separation with laser steering

An apparatus for sorting a mixture, comprising:

• an input reservoir which holds an input solution including a plurality of components;
• a buffer reservoir which holds a buffer solution;
• a sorter having an input channel for input of said input solution, and a buffer channel for input of said buffer solution, and a selection channel for removal of selected components of said plurality of components, and a waste channel for removal of unselected components of said plurality of components;
• wherein said input solution and said buffer solution enter said sorter as a first flow and second flow, respectively, as substantially laminar flows, and said first flow and said second flow contact each other in a sorting region of said sorter, said first flow and said second flow having a substantially non-turbulent, laminar flow separation interface within said sorting region;
• and
• a holographic optical trapping system which optically traps said selected components of said plurality of components in said sorting region, and moves said selected components to said selection channel, whereas unselected components exit through said waste channel.