Manipulation of chemical and/or biological species using magnetic field modulators
First Claim
1. A method of forming a pattern of cells proximate a surface, comprising:
- providing a surface for directing formation of a pattern of cells;
providing a magnetic field;
positioning a magnetic field modulator in a first position in relation to the surface and modulating the magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field modulator is not integrally connected to the surface;
contacting the surface with a fluid containing a first set of cells; and
forming a first pattern of cells proximate the surface, wherein the position of the first pattern of cells proximate the surface is determined at least partially by the first position of the magnetic field modulator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for manipulating chemical and/or biological species (e.g., cells) and, more specifically, to methods and apparatus for manipulating chemical and/or biological species using magnetic fields. In one embodiment, a method of manipulating cells involves the patterning of cells using a magnetic field modulator, which can modulate the magnetic field created by a magnetic field source. The cells may be magnetically susceptible in some cases; for instance, they may be tagged with magnetic particles. When a fluid containing cells is brought in contact with a surface, and the magnetic field modulator is positioned proximate the surface, the cells may form a pattern proximate the surface by aligning with portions of the modulated magnetic field. The position of the pattern of cells may be at least partially determined by the position of the magnetic field modulator in relation to the surface. Advantageously, in certain embodiments, the magnetic field modulator is not integrally connected to the surface. Thus, patterns of cells can be formed on various types of surfaces and the magnetic field modulator may be repositioned without altering the surface. In one particular embodiment, moving the magnetic field modulator from a first to a second position enables the formation of a second pattern of cells on the surface. This method can allow the formation of patterns comprising multiple cell types on a single surface. The methods and apparatuses of the present invention can be used in a variety of settings. One such setting involves the patterning of multiple cell types proximate a surface, i.e., for studying cell-cell interactions. Another setting involves the formation of three-dimensional cellular structures (e.g., tissues).
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of forming a pattern of cells proximate a surface, comprising:
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providing a surface for directing formation of a pattern of cells;
providing a magnetic field;
positioning a magnetic field modulator in a first position in relation to the surface and modulating the magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field modulator is not integrally connected to the surface;
contacting the surface with a fluid containing a first set of cells; and
forming a first pattern of cells proximate the surface, wherein the position of the first pattern of cells proximate the surface is determined at least partially by the first position of the magnetic field modulator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of forming patterns of cells proximate a surface, comprising:
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providing a surface for directing formation of patterns of cells;
providing a magnetic field;
positioning a magnetic field modulator in a first position in relation to the surface and modulating the magnetic field;
forming a first pattern of a first set of cells proximate the surface, wherein the position of the first pattern proximate the surface is determined at least partially by the first position of the magnetic field modulator;
positioning the magnetic field modulator in a second position in relation to the surface and modulating the magnetic field, wherein the first and second positions are different; and
forming a second pattern of a second set of cells proximate the first pattern of the first set of cells, wherein the position of the second pattern is determined at least partially by the second position of the magnetic field modulator. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A method of forming a pattern of cells proximate a surface, comprising:
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providing a surface for directing formation of a pattern of cells;
providing a magnetic field;
positioning a magnetic field modulator in a first position relative to the surface and modulating the magnetic field;
contacting the surface with a fluid containing a first set of cells;
forming a first pattern of cells proximate the surface, wherein the position of the first pattern is determined at least partially by the first position of the magnetic field modulator; and
causing the cells to form a three-dimensional cellular structure. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. An apparatus for forming a pattern of cells proximate a surface, comprising:
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a surface for forming a pattern of cells;
a magnetic field; and
a magnetic field modulator positioned adjacent the magnetic field and the surface, wherein the magnetic field modulator is not integrally connected to the surface.
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Specification