432 results about "Cellular component" patented technology

BioMEMS/NEMS appliance biologically monitors an individual, using biosensors to detect cellular components. Data is simulated or analyzed using systems-biology software, which provides diagnostic or therapeutic guidance.

The invention features devices and methods for the deterministic separation of particles. Exemplary methods include the enrichment of a sample in a desired particle or the alteration of a desired particle in the device. The devices and methods are advantageously employed to enrich for rare cells, e.g., fetal cells, present in a sample, e.g., maternal blood and rare cell components, e.g., fetal cell nuclei. The invention further provides a method for preferentially lysing cells of interest in a sample, e.g., to extract clinical information from a cellular component, e.g., a nucleus, of the cells of interest. In general, the method employs differential lysis between the cells of interest and other cells (e.g., other nucleated cells) in the sample.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems for phase measurement which address the problem of phase noise using combinations of a number of strategies including, but not limited to, common-path interferometry, phase referencing, active stabilization and differential measurement. Embodiment are directed to optical devices for imaging small biological objects with light. These embodiments can be applied to the fields of, for example, cellular physiology and neuroscience. These preferred embodiments are based on principles of phase measurements and imaging technologies. The scientific motivation for using phase measurements and imaging technologies is derived from, for example, cellular biology at the sub-micron level which can include, without limitation, imaging origins of dysplasia, cellular communication, neuronal transmission and implementation of the genetic code. The structure and dynamics of sub-cellular constituents cannot be currently studied in their native state using the existing methods and technologies including, for example, x-ray and neutron scattering. In contrast, light based techniques with nanometer resolution enable the cellular machinery to be studied in its native state. Thus, preferred embodiments of the present invention include systems based on principles of interferometry and/or phase measurements and are used to study cellular physiology. These systems include principles of low coherence interferometry (LCI) using optical interferometers to measure phase, or light scattering spectroscopy (LSS) wherein interference within the cellular components themselves is used, or in the alternative the principles of LCI and LSS can be combined to result in systems of the present invention.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems for phase measurement which address the problem of phase noise using combinations of a number of strategies including, but not limited to, common-path interferometry, phase referencing, active stabilization and differential measurement. Embodiment are directed to optical devices for imaging small biological objects with light. These embodiments can be applied to the fields of, for example, cellular physiology and neuroscience. These preferred embodiments are based on principles of phase measurements and imaging technologies. The scientific motivation for using phase measurements and imaging technologies is derived from, for example, cellular biology at the sub-micron level which can include, without limitation, imaging origins of dysplasia, cellular communication, neuronal transmission and implementation of the genetic code. The structure and dynamics of sub-cellular constituents cannot be currently studied in their native state using the existing methods and technologies including, for example, x-ray and neutron scattering. In contrast, light based techniques with nanometer resolution enable the cellular machinery to be studied in its native state. Thus, preferred embodiments of the present invention include systems based on principles of interferometry and/or phase measurements and are used to study cellular physiology. These systems include principles of low coherence interferometry (LCI) using optical interferometers to measure phase, or light scattering spectroscopy (LSS) wherein interference within the cellular components themselves is used, or in the alternative the principles of LCI and LSS can be combined to result in systems of the present invention.

The present invention provides a fluorescent silica-based nanoparticle that allows for precise detection, characterization, monitoring and treatment of a disease such as cancer The nanoparticle has a fluorescent compound positioned within the nanoparticle, and has greater brightness and fluorescent quantum yield than the free fluorescent compound To facilitate efficient urinary excretion of the nanoparticle, it may be coated with an organic polymer, such as polyethylene glycol) (PEG) The small size of the nanoparticle, the silica base and the organic polymer coating minimizes the toxicity of the nanoparticle when administered in vivo The nanoparticle may further be conjugated to a ligand capable of binding to a cellular component associated with the specific cell type, such as a tumor marker A therapeutic agent may be attached to the nanoparticle Radionuclides/radiometals or paramagnetic ions may be conjugated to the nanoparticle to permit the nanoparticle to be detectable by various imaging techniques.

Systems, devices, and methods for releasing one or more cell components from a photosynthetic organism. A bioreactor system is operable for growing photosynthetic organisms. Some of the methods include contacting the photosynthetic organism with an energy-activatable sensitizer, and activating the energy-activatable sensitizer, thereby releasing a cellular component from at least one of, for example, a membrane structure, tubule, vesicle, cisterna, organelle, cell compartment, plastid, or mitochondrion, associated with the photosynthetic organisms.

Biological samples of mammary fluid or components thereof are obtained using a breast pump device coupled with a solid phase sample collection medium, alternatively facilitated by administering oxytocin to the subject. The breast pump device stimulates expression of mammary fluid and provides for collection of diagnostic samples to evaluate breast disease, including cancer. The biological sample may include whole cells or cellular components, purified or bulk proteins, glycoproteins, peptides, nucleotides or other desired constituents comprising a breast disease marker. Methods, kits and adapter devices relating to the breast pump device are also provided. Yet additional methods, devices, accessories, and materials are provided for laboratory handling and processing of breast fluid samples and for related diagnostic methods.

Disclosed is a method for measuring the effectiveness of therapy intended to kill malignant cells in vivo in a mammal, comprising the steps of obtaining monoclonal antibody that is specific to an internal cellular component of the mammal but not to external cellular components, wherein the monoclonal antibody is labeled; contacting the labeled antibody with tissue of a mammal that has received therapy to kill malignant cells in vivo, and determining the effectiveness of the therapy by measuring the binding of the labeled antibody to the internal cellular component. The internal cellular component is preferably insoluble intracellular antigen, and the label is preferably a radionuclide, a radiopaque material, or a magnetic resonance-enhancing material. Also disclosed is a method whereby the antibody to insoluble intracellular antigen is conjugated to an antineoplastic agent, so that upon administration of the antibody-antineoplastic agent conjugate, antineoplastic agent may be delivered to the tumor. Also disclosed are antibodies for use with the foregoing methods.

The invention provides a method and apparatus for separating blood into components, may be expanded to include other types of cellular components, and can be combined with holographic optical manipulation or other forms of optical tweezing. One of the exemplary methods includes providing a first flow having a plurality of blood components; providing a second flow; contacting the first flow with the second flow to provide a first separation region; and differentially sedimenting a first blood cellular component of the plurality of blood components into the second flow while concurrently maintaining a second blood cellular component of the plurality of blood components in the first flow. The second flow having the first blood cellular component is then differentially removed from the first flow having the second blood cellular component. Holographic optical traps may also be utilized in conjunction with the various flows to move selected components from one flow to another, as part of or in addition to a separation stage.

The present invention provides methods for determining the level of protein activity in a cell by: (i) measuring abundances of cellular constituents in a cell in which the activity of a specific protein is to be determined so that a diagnostic profile is thus obtained; (ii) measuring abundances of cellular constituents that occur in a cell in response to perturbations in the activity of said protein to obtain response profiles and interpolating said response profiles to generate response curves; and (iii) determining a protein activity level at which the response profile extracted from the response curves best fits the measured diagnostic profile, according to some objective measure. In alternative embodiments, the present invention also provides methods for identifying individuals having genetic mutations or polymorphisms that disrupt protein activity, and methods for identifying drug activity in vivo by determining the activity levels of proteins which interact with said drugs.

The invention provides a method, apparatus and system for separating blood and other types of cellular components, and can be combined with holographic optical trapping manipulation or other forms of optical tweezing. One of the exemplary methods includes providing a first flow having a plurality of blood components; providing a second flow; contacting the first flow with the second flow to provide a first separation region; and differentially sedimenting a first blood cellular component of the plurality of blood components into the second flow while concurrently maintaining a second blood cellular component of the plurality of blood components in the first flow. The second flow having the first blood cellular component is then differentially removed from the first flow having the second blood cellular component. Holographic optical traps may also be utilized in conjunction with the various flows to move selected components from one flow to another, as part of or in addition to a separation stage.

The present invention provides a fluorescent silica-based nanoparticle that allows for precise detection, characterization, monitoring and treatment of a disease such as cancer. The nanoparticle has a range of diameters including between about 0.1 nm and about 100 nm, between about 0.5 nm and about 50 nm, between about 1 nm and about 25 nm, between about 1 nm and about 15 nm, or between about 1 nm and about 8 nm. The nanoparticle has a fluorescent compound positioned within the nanoparticle, and has greater brightness and fluorescent quantum yield than the free fluorescent compound. The nanoparticle also exhibits high biostability and biocompatibility. To facilitate efficient urinary excretion of the nanoparticle, it may be coated with an organic polymer, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The small size of the nanoparticle, the silica base and the organic polymer coating minimizes the toxicity of the nanoparticle when administered in vivo. In order to target a specific cell type, the nanoparticle may further be conjugated to a ligand, which is capable of binding to a cellular component associated with the specific cell type, such as a tumor marker. In one embodiment, a therapeutic agent may be attached to the nanoparticle. To permit the nanoparticle to be detectable by not only optical fluorescence imaging, but also other imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), computerized tomography (CT), bioluminescence imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radionuclides/radiometals or paramagnetic ions may be conjugated to the nanoparticle.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to analyzing components of a cell. In some embodiments, the present invention relate to analyzing components of a single cell. In some embodiments, the methods and compositions relate to sequencing nucleic acids. In some embodiments, the methods and compositions relate to identifying and/or quantitating nucleic acid, proteins, organelles, and/or cellular metabolites.

Disclosed are compositions for isolating populations of nucleic acids from biological, forensic, and environmental samples. Also disclosed are methods for using these compositions as one-step formulations for killing pathogens, inactivating nucleases, and releasing polynucleotides from other cellular components within the sample, and stabilizing the nucleic acids prior to further processing or assay. The disclosed compositions safely facilitate rapid sample collection, and provide extended storage and transport of the samples at ambient or elevated temperature without contamination of the sample or degradation of the nucleic acids contained therein. This process particularly facilitates the collection of specimens from remote locations, and under conditions previously considered hostile for preserving the integrity of nucleic acids released from lysed biological samples without the need of refrigeration or freezing prior to molecular analysis.

A method for identifying, analyzing, and quantifying the cellular components of whole blood by means of an automated hematology analyzer and the detection of the light scattered, absorbed, and fluorescently emitted by each cell. More particularly, the aforementioned method involves identifying, analyzing, and quantifying the cellular components of whole blood by means of a light source having a wavelength ranging from about 400 nm to about 450 nm and multiple in-flow optical measurements and staining without the need for lysing red blood cells.

An extracorporeal filtration and detoxification system and method generally comprise separating ultrafiltrate from cellular components of blood, treating the ultrafiltrate independently of the cellular components in a recirculation circuit, recombining treated ultrafiltrate and the cellular components, and returning whole blood to the patient. A recirculation circuit generally comprises an active cartridge including active cells operative to effectuate a selected treatment; in some embodiments, the active cells are the C3A cell line.

Arrays of single cells and methods of producing an array of single cells are described. Arrays with defined volumes between 10 attoliters and 50 picoliters enable single cell capture, detection and quantitation.

Methods and apparatuses for the separation a predetermined cellular component from a bodily fluid or tissue by centrifugation are provided. More specifically, this invention provides a method for the separation and isolation of one or more components, such as stem cells, buffy coat, bone marrow cells, erythrocytes, leukocytes, thrombocytes, serum, fluorescently labeled cells, and magnetically labeled cells, from whole blood, bone marrow, buffy coat, fat tissue, muscle tissue, and nerve tissue by centrifugation, wherein the components are isolated while the centrifuge is rotating.

A method captures cellular components from a single cell and performs mass spectrometry on the components. The method includes inserting a nanospray ionization capillary tip into a specific region of the cell under observation with a microscope. The nanospray ionization capillary tip can include a filament in the interior. The method further includes capturing the cellular components of the specific region of the cell into the opening of the nanospray ionization capillary tip and keeping the components at the nanospray ionization capillary tip, supplying an ionization supporting solvent from a back-end of the nanospray ionization capillary tip, applying an electric field between a sample inlet of a mass spectrometer and the nanospray ionization capillary tip, whereby nanospray ionization to the cellular components is implemented, and performing the mass spectrometry on the cellular components captured at the nanospray ionization capillary tip.

This invention relates to improved methods for purifying polysaccharides from cellular components, such as a cell wall. The method relates to hydrolyzing and separating the polysaccharides, thereby resulting in purified polysaccharides useful for producing antigens, antibodies, and vaccines comprising the polysaccharides alone or conjugated to carrier molecules. This method is simple, rapid, efficient, scalable, and reproducible.

The present invention provides lysis reagents, containers, methods and kits relating to the extraction or the extraction and isolation of a cellular component from a host cell. More specifically, the invention provides combinations of zwitterionic compounds that may be employed to aide in the extraction or the extraction and isolation of a cellular component from a host cell.

The invention is directed to a bone void filler comprising a scaffold or matrix. The scaffold or matrix may include a porous inorganic matrix component and/or a 3D-printed implantable device. The bone void filler may include a cellular component containing cells, some of which are capable of making extracellular matrix resembling native bone tissue. The bone void filler may include an organic matrix, such as, an organic biopolymer that aids in cell retention and renders the scaffold or matrix moldable. The bone void filler may include growth factors and/or cytokines. The bone void filler may include a clotting agent.

A system and method of hyperspectral chemical imaging (fluorescence or absorption based) to provide an automated approach for a more detailed analysis of disease status of a biological sample. When a biological sample is labeled with a fluorescent or light-absorbing contrast-enhancing agent, interactions between the contrast-enhancing agent and one or more constituents (or cellular components) of the biological sample may be manifested through spectral contents of a plurality of regions in a hyperspectral chemical image of the sample. Observations of such manifestations through analysis of corresponding spectral contents may greatly assist a user (e.g., a pathologist) in detecting and differentiating diseased portions of the stained sample. Hyperspectral chemical imaging may allow to identify multiple cellular components within a biological sample and to image their distribution within the sample, thereby assisting a pathologist to successfully and more accurately identify diseased portion(s) of the sample for further diagnosis and treatment.