Methods and Devices for Charged Molecule Manipulation

• US 20100323419A1
• Filed: 07/09/2008
• Published: 12/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Brigham Young University (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)
• Original Assignee: Brigham Young University (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)
• Inventors: Burnett, Sandra, Howell, Larry L., Jensen, Brian D., Aten, Quentin T.
• Application Number:
  US12/668,369
• Publication Number:
  US 20100323419A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/173.1
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 35/02 Electrical or electromagnetic means, e.g. for electroporation or for cell fusion
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/89 using microinjection

Abstract

Systems and methods for manipulating molecular material are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method for manipulating molecular material may include positioning an uncharged needle structure in electrical proximity with a charged molecular material at a first locus in a liquid environment, charging the needle structure such that at least a portion of the charged molecular material becomes associated with the needle structure, moving the needle structure and the first locus relative to one another, and discharging the needle structure to disassociate the charged molecular material at a second locus.

Claims

1. A method for manipulating molecular material, comprising:

positioning an uncharged needle structure in electrical proximity with a charged molecular material at a first locus in a liquid environment;

charging the needle structure such that at least a portion of the charged molecular material becomes associated with the needle structure;

moving the needle structure and the first locus relative to one another; and

discharging the needle structure to disassociate the charged molecular material at a second locus.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the charged molecular material includes a member selected from the group consisting of DNA, RNA, peptides, polymers, organic molecules, inorganic molecules, ions, and combinations thereof.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the charged molecular material includes DNA.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second locus is within a single cell.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second locus is within a cell nucleus of the single cell.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the first locus is outside of the single cell.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein moving the needle structure and the first locus relative to one another comprises moving the needle structure from the first locus to the second locus.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the needle structure includes an elongate axis;

a loci axis is defined between the first locus and the second locus; and

wherein an angular relationship between the elongate axis and the loci axis remains constant as the needle structure and the first locus are moved relative to one another.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the needle structure includes an elongate axis;

the needle structure is moved to an intermediate locus; and

movement of the needle structure from the intermediate locus to the second locus is in a direction along the elongate axis of the needle structure at the intermediate locus.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein discharging the needle structure further includes reversing the polarity of the needle structure charge.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein discharging the needle structure further includes discharging the needle structure to a degree sufficient to substantially release the charged molecular material associated with the needle structure.

12. A system for manipulating molecular material, comprising:

a needle structure;

a charging system electrically coupled to the needle structure, the charging system being operable to charge and discharge the needle structure; and

a movement system operable to move the needle structure from a first locus to a second locus.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a charged molecular material sample associated with the needle structure.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the charged molecular material sample includes a member selected from the group consisting of DNA, RNA, peptides, polymers, organic molecules, inorganic molecules, ions, and combinations thereof.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the charged molecular material sample includes a member selected from the group consisting of DNA, RNA, peptides, and combinations thereof.

16. The system of claim 12, further comprising a single cell positioned to receive the needle structure upon operation of the movement system.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the single cell is an oocyte.

18. A system for manipulating molecular material, comprising:

a moveable support frame;

a needle structure associated with the moveable support frame, the needle structure operable to carry molecular material therewith;

the moveable support frame operable to moving the needle structure from an initial position to an extended position; and

wherein an elongate axis of the needle structure is maintained in a substantially constant orientation as the moveable support frame moves the needle structure from the initial position to the extended position.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein a vertical elevation of the needle structure in the extended position is different from a vertical elevation of the needle structure in the initial position.

20. The system of claim 18, further comprising a charging system electrically coupled to the needle structure, the charging system being operable to charge and discharge the needle structure.

21. The system of claim 18, further comprising a support structure positioned adjacent to the moveable support frame, the support structure operable to secure a single cell in a position to receive the needle structure when in the extended position.

22. A system for manipulating molecular material, comprising:

a moveable support frame;

a needle structure associated with the moveable support frame, the needle structure being chargeable between a first charged state and a second charged state;

the moveable support frame operable to moving the needle structure from an initial position to an extended position;

wherein an elongate axis of the needle structure is maintained in a substantially constant orientation as the moveable support frame moves the needle structure from the initial position to the extended position.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein a vertical elevation of the needle structure in the extended position is different from a vertical elevation of the needle structure in the initial position.