Membrane-Based Electrophoresis for Cell Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cell separation methods, particularly those based on physical differences, are inefficient, slow, and often damage cells or introduce undesirable agents, with limited correlation to functional properties, and existing electrophoresis techniques face challenges like excessive heat generation and scalability issues.
Innovation Solution
A membrane-based electrophoresis process using a specific apparatus with ion-permeable barriers and controlled electric potential to separate cells based on charge and size, preserving cell viability and purity, allowing for rapid and cost-effective enrichment or removal of target cell populations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional electrophoresis is used for cell separation, then cell separation based on electrophoretic mobility is achieved, but excessive heat generation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The electrophoresis chamber is divided into multiple compartments separated by ion-permeable barriers, allowing controlled migration of cells through specific pathways while distributing heat generation across multiple smaller regions rather than one large chamber
Solution Approach 2:
Ion-permeable barriers are introduced as intermediary elements between electrode chambers and sample chambers, enabling selective ion transport while providing thermal insulation and controlling the electric field distribution to reduce heat generation in critical areas
2Measurement precision
If affinity methods are used for cell separation, then cell population enrichment is achieved, but cells are damaged or activated and undesirable agents are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces affinity-based biochemical methods with a physical electrophoresis system that separates cells based on their inherent electrophoretic mobility and size, eliminating the need for antibodies, ligands, or chemical reagents that cause cell damage or activation
Solution Approach 2:
The method utilizes the cells' own physical properties (charge, size, mobility) for separation without requiring external affinity ligands or markers, allowing cells to be separated based on their intrinsic characteristics rather than being targeted by foreign molecules
3Measurement precision
If antibody-based methods are used for stem cell purification, then cell surface marker targeting is achieved, but primitive stem cells without markers are not recovered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the separation parameter from antibody-based surface marker recognition to physical parameters including electrophoretic mobility, cell size, and charge characteristics, enabling separation and recovery of all stem cells regardless of their marker expression status
4Measurement precision
If free-flow electrophoresis is used for cell separation, then cell fractionation is achieved, but the correlation with functional properties is variable and scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple ion-permeable barriers to create segmented chambers that enable controlled, stepwise migration of cells through the electric field, improving separation resolution while maintaining a compact configuration suitable for scaling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes electrophoresis parameters including voltage, buffer composition, and barrier properties to enhance the correlation between separation results and functional cell properties, while designing a scalable apparatus architecture
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
The method achieves high recovery rates of viable cells, with up to 90% of the desired cell type remaining unchanged, and is suitable for various cell types, including stem cells and cancer cells, offering a rapid, efficient, and gentle separation process.
Implementation Method 1
The electrophoretic mobility of a cell is directly correlated with the cellular negative surface charge density. When placed in an electric field, cells are deflected or moved towards the anode.
Implementation Method 2
a first ion-permeable barrier disposed between the first sample chamber and the second sample chamber; a second ion-permeable barrier disposed between the first electrolyte chamber and the first sample chamber, a third ion-permeable barrier disposed between the second sample chamber and the second electrolyte chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A process for separating a cell type from a mixture of cell types by electrophoresis comprising providing a sample containing a mixture of cell types to a sample chamber of membrane-based electrophoresis apparatus adapted to separate cells and applying an electric potential causing at least one cell type in the sample to be separated from other cells in the sample.