Patent ID: 7622274

Claim:
A method for determining a product secretion profile of one or more selected cells in a population of cells, comprising: (a) immobilizing a plurality of cells in proximity to a capture matrix that localizes a product secreted by one or more of the cells and contacting the product with an agent that selectively binds to the product, wherein the agent generates a signal detectable as a property of light; (b) illuminating a population of cells contained in a frame, wherein the illuminated population is contained within the plurality of cells; (c) detecting at least one property of light directed from the frame, wherein the at least one property of light identifies product localized to the capture matrix; (d) locating the one or more of the cells with reference to the detected at least one property of light; and (e) assessing a signal value of the at least one property of light corresponding to a level of secreted product whereby a product secretion profile of the one or more selected cells in the population of cells is determined.