Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Chemotaxis Assay for Functional Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for evaluating the proliferative activity and pre-transplant differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) are imprecise and time-consuming, and there is a need for a technique to discern the functionality of low percentages of HPC and neoplastic cells in patients with leukemia.
Innovation Solution
An in vitro method that quantifies and evaluates the migratory capacity of HPC by incubating them in a chemotactic buffer with chemotactic agents, creating a chemotactic gradient to separate and count cells that migrate, allowing for the prediction of colony-forming potential and invasive capacity of leukemia cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual counting of colony forming units under microscope is used to evaluate proliferative capacity, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical counting method with an automated image analysis system using microscopy and computer algorithms. The system captures images of colony forming units and automatically counts them, eliminating the need for manual observation and counting under the microscope, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining or improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational system between the biological sample and the final measurement result. The image analysis software acts as a mediator that processes the visual data from the microscope, applying algorithms to accurately count and quantify colony forming units, thus bridging the gap between raw visual data and precise quantitative measurement without requiring direct manual counting.
2Measurement precision
If clonogenic analysis is performed to determine proliferative capacity, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the labor-intensive manual analysis process with an automated digital imaging and analysis system. The system automatically captures, processes, and quantifies colony forming units from microscope images, eliminating the need for manual counting and significantly improving productivity while maintaining the precision of clonogenic analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous automated processing of multiple samples through the image analysis system. Unlike manual counting which requires intermittent human intervention, the automated system can continuously analyze multiple samples in sequence, improving overall productivity and throughput of the clonogenic analysis process.
3Reliability
If current evaluation methods are used for HPC functionality, then reliability is maintained, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary automated image capture and processing steps before final quantification. The system pre-processes images by adjusting contrast, eliminating artifacts, and preparing data for analysis, which streamlines the overall process and reduces the time required for reliable evaluation of HPC functionality while maintaining assessment accuracy.
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 precise and rapid evaluation of HPC activity, potentially improving transplant outcomes and providing a prognostic biomarker for leukemia cell invasion, while also enabling the purification of HPC for clinical use.
Implementation Method 1
adding a migration buffer which comprises a chemotactic agent to the chemotactic compartment; suspending the cellular phase of a source of HPC in a migration buffer and incubating the source of HPC in the cellular compartment; wherein the cellular compartment is separated from the chemotactic compartment via the adhesion compartment or adhesion surface; and wherein the cellular compartment and the chemotactic compartment are in mutual communication via a continuous solution which comprises a chemotactic gradient
Data Source
AI summary
An in vitro method for functional assessment of haematopoietic progenitors which makes it possible to assess the ability of haematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) to respond to growth factors and proliferate in products used for HPC transplantation, without need for cell culture. The disclosed method can be used for functional quantification of haematopoietic progenitors pre-transplantation and can also be used as a functional assay or functional prognostic biomarker for leukaemia or other tumours. The method could be used to separate HPCs from cell mixtures and collect them for use in cell therapy.