A hydrodynamic shuttling chip device comprising an array of single-cell trapping units is disclosed. Each unit comprises: (a) an incoming channel with a cell capture site; (b) a cell culture chamber located posterior to the cell capture site, having a receiving site spaced apart from the cell capture site at a distance of g; (c) a trapping channel located between the cell capture site and the receiving site; (d) a chamber channel located posterior to and in fluidic connection with the cell culture chamber; and (e) a by-pass channel, located lateral to the incoming channel, chamber and chamber channel and having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the first end branching out from the incoming channel immediately prior to the cell capture site and the second end joining the chamber channel. A method of capturing single cells of more than one type is also disclosed.