Compositions and methods for performing magnetibuoyant separations

Abstract

Processes and compositions are provided for performing magnetibuoyant separations of different biomolecules (e.g., cells, organelles, etc.) in a biological sample, as well as compositions and kits for performing such methods. Compositions containing the separated biomolecules, and methods for using the same for in-vitro and in-vivo biomedical applications, are also provided. The magnetibuoyant methods of the invention employ targeted magnetic particles, preferably targeted nanomagnetic particles, and targeted buoyant particles such as buoyant microparticles and microbubbles. Among the benefits of the invention is the ability to combine targeted magnetic particles with differentially targeted buoyant particles to achieve separation of two or more specifically cell targeted populations during the same work flow.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62 / 330,112 (attorney docket number BLD-0015-PV), filed 30 Apr. 2016, also entitled, “Compositions and Methods for Performing Magnetibuoyant Separations”, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for any and all purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Magnetic particle-based technologies for the separation and isolation of cells, nucleic acids, proteins, and other biomolecules have become established and improved over the past several decades. Magnetic particles are typically conjugated with specific targeting moieties such as antibodies or nucleic acids, allowing the particles to bind to the target molecules found in complex mixtures such as cell populations or protein and nucleic acid mixtures. The magnetic particles bound to the target biological material can then be separated from the mixture using magnetic field device...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This approach enables rapid and simple bi-directional separation of multiple cell or biomolecule populations, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of biomolecule enrichment and purification by utilizing magnetic and buoyancy forces in series or parallel.

Problems solved by technology

All of these methods result in magnetic particles of greater than 0.3 um (micrometer) in size.

With all of these methods, the shapes and sizes of the resultant bioaffinity magnetic particle products are not easily controlled, the size range of the particle products are relatively broad, the diameters are typically greater than 0.5 um, and the product particles tend to easily adhere to one another forming particle clumps.

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