MIT device collects living cells from specific areas of removed tissue

MIT and Johns Hopkins researchers developed a handheld device that collects living cells from specific areas of tissue while leaving nearby tissue intact. In tests on freshly removed human fallopian tubes, they recovered cells that could be grown into organoids for further study. The device seals a small fluid channel against the tissue and uses flowing liquid to gently detach cells. The researchers found that cells collected this way grew in culture more readily than cells gathered through conventional approaches. Its demonstrated use is on tissue already removed from the body; sampling inside patients and using the device for early cancer detection remain future goals.