Blood Cell Reprogramming via Autofluorescence Analysis

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The efficiency of producing pluripotent stem cells through reprogramming of blood cells is low, and variations in cell colonies and quantities depend on the manufacturing lot or donor, making it difficult to predict outcomes for unknown cells or donors, leading to unstable production.

Innovation Solution

An information processing method that acquires autofluorescence information from blood cells and analyzes it to estimate reprogramming outcomes or generate recommended reprogramming conditions, including parameters like cell number, reprogramming factors, culture days, and vessel information, to improve the efficiency and stability of pluripotent stem cell production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional reprogramming methods are used to produce pluripotent stem cells from blood cells, then reprogramming can be achieved, but the establishment efficiency is low and production is unstable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereprogramming efficiencyVSAvoidproduction stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by measuring autofluorescence characteristics of blood cells before reprogramming to predict future colony formation outcomes. This advance assessment allows selection of optimal donor cells and adjustment of reprogramming conditions beforehand, thereby improving both efficiency and stability of pluripotent stem cell production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using measured autofluorescence data to adjust reprogramming conditions. The system continuously monitors cell characteristics and modifies culture conditions, reprogramming factor doses, and selection strategies based on predicted outcomes, creating a closed-loop control system that enhances production reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If reprogramming is performed on unknown cells or donors, then cell diversity is maintained, but the number of colonies obtained cannot be predicted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell donor variabilityVSAvoidcolony prediction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical assessment methods (manual cell counting, morphological evaluation) with optical detection of autofluorescence characteristics. This substitution enables non-invasive, quantitative measurement of cell properties that correlate with reprogramming outcomes, achieving accurate prediction without disrupting cell diversity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from conventional morphological or phenotypic markers to autofluorescence characteristics. By monitoring changes in autofluorescence intensity and patterns, the system can predict colony formation capacity with high accuracy while maintaining adaptability to different cell donors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If autofluorescence analysis is implemented to predict reprogramming outcomes, then production stability improves, but measurement complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction stabilityVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by utilizing the cell's own autofluorescence properties as the measurement signal. No external dyes, labels, or complex staining protocols are required - the cells provide their own measurement signal through endogenous fluorophores, simplifying the overall measurement system while maintaining high reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by using autofluorescence measurement for multiple purposes: assessing cell quality, predicting reprogramming outcomes, monitoring cell state changes, and optimizing culture conditions. This single measurement approach serves multiple functions, reducing the need for separate complex measurement systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method enables more accurate prediction and stabilization of pluripotent stem cell production by analyzing autofluorescence data, allowing for optimized reprogramming conditions that enhance the number and quality of colonies produced.

Implementation Method 1

Some cell components are known to emit fluorescence. A plurality of coenzymes relating to a redox state or a metabolic state in a cell emit fluorescence. Fluorescence thus emitted by a substance inherent in a cell is referred to as 'autofluorescence.'

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAutofluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS20240312569A1Information processing method for reprogramming of blood cell

Publication Date: 2024.09.19 CANON KK

AI summary

Provided is a method of stably reprogramming a cell. Provided is an information processing method for reprogramming of a blood cell, the information processing method including an autofluorescence information acquisition step of acquiring autofluorescence information on a subject blood cell and an analysis step of performing analysis based on the autofluorescence information and cell information on the subject blood cell, in which the cell information includes identification information on the blood cell.