System and methods for anaerobic environmental microbial compartmentalized cultivation

• US 9,556,413 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2008
• Issued: 01/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Synthetic Genomics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Synthetic Genomics, Inc.
• Inventors: Toledo, Gerardo Vicente, Venter, J. Craig, Mathur, Eric J., Chang, Hwai Wen, Green, Wayne A.
• Primary Examiner(s): HOBBS, MICHAEL L
• Application Number:
  US12/532,403
• Publication Number:
  US 20100330651A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,238 Days
• Field of Search: 435/243, 435/283.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/44 Multiple separable units; Modules
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 45/03 by control of the humidity or content of liquids; Drying
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 47/04 Cell isolation or sorting purging biological preparations of unwanted cells C12N5/0081, determining the presence or kind of microorganism C12Q1/04
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/20 Bacteria; Culture media therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/30 Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel

Abstract

The invention described below relates to an enclosed cell sorting device and methods of using the device. The device is constructed so that the entire process of cell sorting can be conducted under fully anaerobic conditions to retain viability of anaerobic cells before, during, and after cell sorting. This is accomplished by creating an anaerobic atmosphere for the high speed cell sorter and all its components and by the use of airlocks that allow the introduction of anaerobic containers into the chamber containing the sample.

Claims

1. An apparatus for sorting cells in a controlled environment, comprising:

a sample handling vestibule linked to a cell sorting compartment via an airlock, wherein the cell sorting compartment comprises a cell sorter; and

a fluidics compartment linked to the cell sorting compartment by one or more fluidics tubes and a chamber equalization tube,

wherein the cell sorter and the fluidics compartment are completely enclosed in the controlled environment.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controlled environment is an anoxic environment.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a temperature regulating device.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an oxygen sensor.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cell sorting compartment further comprises one or more chamber gloves.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sample handling vestibule is connected to a gas source allowing for creation of an anoxic atmosphere within the sample handling vestibule.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fluidics compartment comprises a fluidics pump.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cell sorter is driven by an anaerobic gas.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fluidics compartment is segregated from the cell sorter.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the controlled environment is an anoxic environment.