Methods for the selection, separation and fusion of cells
First Claim
1. A method for the selective recovery of cells, vectors, particles or molecules expressing or presenting a defined ligand, comprising the steps of physically or chemically binding to a surface of a solid and immobile target a ligand or ligands complementary to the defined ligand, introducing the target into a suspension or solution of cells, vectors, particles or molecules in an electrically conductive liquid in which some of the cells, vectors, particles or molecules express or present the defined ligand, causing at least some of the cells, vectors, particles or molecules expressing or presenting the defined ligand to migrate into contact with the target and to bind with the complementary ligand or ligands by establishing between a pair of electrodes in the suspension or solution an alternating electric field of such a frequency, intensity and inhomogeneity that at least some of the cells, vectors, particles, ligands or molecules expressing or presenting the defined ligand will move towards the target, and separating the cells, vectors, particles or molecules which have bound to the target due to a dielectrophoretic force induced by the said alternating electric field from at least some of the other cells, vectors, particles or molecules in the suspension or solution.
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Abstract
Methods are described for the separation of cells of different types using dielectrophoresis; for the electrochemical selection of cells by the dielectrophoretic attraction of ligand bearing cells into contact with an electrode bearing a complimentary ligand; and for the fusion of an individually isolated cell with another cell or a vector using dielectrophoresis to manipulate the cells or the cell and the vector into juxtaposition so that they may be fused.
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Citations
24 Claims
- 1. A method for the selective recovery of cells, vectors, particles or molecules expressing or presenting a defined ligand, comprising the steps of physically or chemically binding to a surface of a solid and immobile target a ligand or ligands complementary to the defined ligand, introducing the target into a suspension or solution of cells, vectors, particles or molecules in an electrically conductive liquid in which some of the cells, vectors, particles or molecules express or present the defined ligand, causing at least some of the cells, vectors, particles or molecules expressing or presenting the defined ligand to migrate into contact with the target and to bind with the complementary ligand or ligands by establishing between a pair of electrodes in the suspension or solution an alternating electric field of such a frequency, intensity and inhomogeneity that at least some of the cells, vectors, particles, ligands or molecules expressing or presenting the defined ligand will move towards the target, and separating the cells, vectors, particles or molecules which have bound to the target due to a dielectrophoretic force induced by the said alternating electric field from at least some of the other cells, vectors, particles or molecules in the suspension or solution.
- 12. A method for the separation of cells, vectors, particles or molecules in a suspension or solution of cells, vectors, particles or molecules of at least two different species thereof in an electrically conductive liquid, comprising the steps of establishing between two electrodes in the liquid an alternating electric field of such frequency, intensity and inhomogeneity as to selectively cause the cells, vectors, particles or molecules of one specie to migrate through the liquid towards the electrodes due to a dielectrophoretic force induced by the said alternating electric field while simultaneously or sequentially causing the cells vectors, particles or molecules of the other specie to migrate through the liquid away from the electrodes due to a dielectrophoretic force induced by the said alternating electric field and separating the cells, vectors, particles or molecules which have migrated towards the electrodes from the cells, vectors, particles or molecules that have migrated away from them the electrodes.
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17. A method for fusing a selected first cell with a selected second cell to form a single fusate cell, comprising the steps of:
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i) physically or chemically binding at least one first cell to a first of a pair of electrodes between which an alternating electric current of an appropriate frequency, intensity and inhomogenicity subsists such that each first cell is drawn into direct contact with one of the electrodes, the physical or chemical binding being so achieved that when a plurality of fusate cell are formed there is only a monolayer of cells present on said one of the electrodes; ii) physically manipulating a single second cell into sufficiently close proximity with the first cell or one of the first cells such that the second cell is drawn into juxtaposition with the said first cell by a local dielectrophoretic field of the said first cell induced by the alternating electric current between the electrodes; and iii) causing the first and second cells to fuse. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification