1. A system for deforming and analyzing a plurality of particles in a sample, the system comprising: a substrate defining a sample inlet; and a fluidic pathway fluidly coupled to the sample inlet, the fluidic pathway comprising: a first focusing region operable to focus particles of the plurality of particles to preferentially align the particles in a first fluid streamline; and a deformation region operable to deform the particles received from the first focusing region, wherein the deformation region is positioned between a first and a second inlet branch substantially coaxially aligned and located on first opposing sides of the deformation region, the first inlet branch fluidly coupled to the first focusing region, and wherein the deformation region is further positioned between a first and a second outlet branch substantially coaxially aligned and located on second opposing sides of the deformation region.