Array cytometry
First Claim
1. A method of determining an interaction between different cell types, the method involving the assembly of cells comprising the following steps:
- a) providing a first electrode positioned in a first plane and a second electrode positioned in a second plane different from the first plane;
b) providing a plurality of cells comprising at least two cell types suspended in an electrolyte solution, the cells and the electrolyte solution being located between the first and the second electrode, wherein the second electrode is either;
(i) a light-sensitive electrode, such that when an AC electric field is generated and the second electrode is illuminated with a predetermined light pattern, a planar assembly of cells forms in a designated area of the second electrode, said designated area being defined by the pattern of illumination, or(ii) an electrode having a surface or an interior, the surface or interior having been modified to produce spatial modulation in properties of the second electrode that affects the local distribution of an AC electric field, such that a planar assembly of cells forms in a designated area of the second electrode when an AC electric field is generated, said designated area being defined by the spatial modulation in the properties of the second electrode;
c) forming a planar assembly of cells in a designated area of the second electrode by applying an AC electric field and, if the second electrode comprises a light sensitive electrode, by illuminating the second electrode with a predetermined light pattern, wherein the cells in the assembly comprise different types of cells, with the proximity of one cell type to another allowing an interaction between the different cell types to occur; and
d) detecting the interaction between different cell types wherein the interaction between the different cell types results in a morphological change of at least one cell type;
change in a surface marker of at least one cell type;
change in a gene expression of at least one cell type;
a change in the membrane permeability of at least one cell type;
or adhesion of the cells to form a cluster.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for the manipulation of colloidal particulates and biomolecules at the interface between an insulating electrode such as silicon oxide and an electrolyte solution. Light-controlled electrokinetic assembly of particles near surfaces relies on the combination of three functional elements: the AC electric field-induced assembly of planar aggregates; the patterning of the electrolyte/silicon oxide/silicon interface to exert spatial control over the assembly process; and the real-time control of the assembly process via external illumination. The present invention provides a set of fundamental operations enabling interactive control over the creation and placement of planar arrays of several types of particles and biomolecules and the manipulation of array shape and size. The present invention enables sample preparation and handling for diagnostic assays and biochemical analysis in an array format, and the functional integration of these operations. In addition, the present invention provides a procedure for the creation of material surfaces with desired properties and for the fabrication of surface-mounted optical components. This invention is also for a method and apparatus to direct the lateral motion and induce the assembly into planar arrays of cells on semiconductor surfaces in response to temporally and spatially varying electric fields and to projected patterns of illumination.
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Citations
4 Claims
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1. A method of determining an interaction between different cell types, the method involving the assembly of cells comprising the following steps:
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a) providing a first electrode positioned in a first plane and a second electrode positioned in a second plane different from the first plane; b) providing a plurality of cells comprising at least two cell types suspended in an electrolyte solution, the cells and the electrolyte solution being located between the first and the second electrode, wherein the second electrode is either; (i) a light-sensitive electrode, such that when an AC electric field is generated and the second electrode is illuminated with a predetermined light pattern, a planar assembly of cells forms in a designated area of the second electrode, said designated area being defined by the pattern of illumination, or (ii) an electrode having a surface or an interior, the surface or interior having been modified to produce spatial modulation in properties of the second electrode that affects the local distribution of an AC electric field, such that a planar assembly of cells forms in a designated area of the second electrode when an AC electric field is generated, said designated area being defined by the spatial modulation in the properties of the second electrode; c) forming a planar assembly of cells in a designated area of the second electrode by applying an AC electric field and, if the second electrode comprises a light sensitive electrode, by illuminating the second electrode with a predetermined light pattern, wherein the cells in the assembly comprise different types of cells, with the proximity of one cell type to another allowing an interaction between the different cell types to occur; and d) detecting the interaction between different cell types wherein the interaction between the different cell types results in a morphological change of at least one cell type;
change in a surface marker of at least one cell type;
change in a gene expression of at least one cell type;
a change in the membrane permeability of at least one cell type;
or adhesion of the cells to form a cluster. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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Specification