METHOD FOR ASSAYING CELL MOVEMENT

• US 20130344582A1
• Filed: 08/19/2013
• Published: 12/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Platypus Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Platypus Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Murphy, Christopher, Israel, Barbara, Abbott, Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US13/970,170
• Publication Number:
  US 20130344582A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/288.7
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5085 for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 15/00 Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating, e.g. quantum dots as markers in protein assays or molecular motors
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5005 involving human or animal cells immunoassay G01N33/56966; immunoassays of protozoa G01N33/56905; protozoa in screening assays C12Q1/025
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5008 for testing or evaluating the effect of chemical or biological compounds, e.g. drugs, cosmetics
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/588 with semiconductor nanocrystal label, e.g. quantum dots
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/30 Against vector-borne diseases, e.g. mosquito-borne, fly-borne, tick-borne or waterborne diseases whose impact is exacerbated by climate change

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of molecular diagnostics, and in particular to diagnostics based on a liquid crystal assay format. In particular, the present invention provided improved substrates and methods of using liquid crystal assays for quantitating the amount of an analyte in a sample. The present invention also provides materials and methods for detecting non-specific binding of an analyte to a substrate by using a liquid crystal assay format.

Claims

1. An assay apparatus comprising a surface having at least one discreet assay region, said discrete assay region comprising at least one cell seeding region and at least one test compound formulated for controlled release.

2. The assay apparatus of claim 1, wherein said test compound formulated for controlled release is provided in a matrix.

3. The assay apparatus of claim 1, wherein said matrix is a polymer.

4. The assay apparatus of claim 1, wherein said matrix is selected from the group consisting of chitosan, chitosan-alginate, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels, lipid microspheres, copolymers of polylactic and polyglycolic acid, dextran hydrogels, and poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels.

5. The assay apparatus of claim 3, wherein said matrix further comprises an extracellular matrix component.

6. The assay apparatus of claim 5, wherein said extracellular matrix component is selected from the group consisting of collagen, vitronectin, fibronectin, and laminin.

7. The assay apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cell seeding region comprises an extracellular matrix component.

8. The assay apparatus of claim 1, wherein said test compound is selected from the group consisting of polypeptides, sugars, amino acids and small molecule organic compounds.

9. The assay apparatus of claim 8, wherein said polypeptides are selected from the group consisting of integrin binding sequences and growth factors.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said sugars are selected from the group consisting of glucose, fructose, sucrose, galactose and derivatives thereof.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said small molecule organic compounds are selected from the group consisting of steroids, immunomodulators, hormones, antineoplastic drugs, antimetabolites, chemotherapeutic agents, antimicrobial drugs, NSAIDs, vasodialators, beta-adrenergic blockers, diuretics, anesthetics, antidepressants, sedatives, tranquilizers, vasoconstrictors, anti-ulcer drugs, stimulants, antihypertensive drugs and cholesterol lowering drugs.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said assay regions are configured for readouts selected from the group consisting of colorimetric, fluorimetric, optical density, and light scattering readouts.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one cell seeding region contains at least one cell.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one assay region is configured to orient mesogens.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one reservoir.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said test compound is suspected of promoting or inhibiting movement of said at least one cell.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said at least one reservoir is fluidically connected to at least one microfluidic channel.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said at least one reservoir fluidically contacts said at least one assay region.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising 6, 12, 24, 36, 96, 384, or 1536 assay regions.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said 6, 12, 24, 36, 96, 384, or 1536 of said assay regions are arranged in an array of a plurality of rows and columns.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said array of said assay regions is configured to correspond to the reading positions of a plate reader device.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising two or more test compounds formulated for controlled release.

23. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising at least one well having bottom and side surfaces, wherein said at least one discreet assay region is located on said bottom surface of said well, and wherein said matrix is located in said well.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said matrix is located on said side surface of said well.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said matrix is located on the bottom of said well.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said matrix is located in a discrete region of said well.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said discrete region is on the bottom of said well.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said discrete region is on the side of said well.