Thermoreversible Block Polymer Gel for Cell Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biological assays are complex, time-consuming, and costly, requiring improvements in manipulating cells and reagents in liquid and gel phases, controlling fluorescent molecule delivery, immobilizing cells for analysis, maintaining cell viability, and enabling high-throughput screening while maintaining accuracy and reproducibility.
Innovation Solution
The use of thermoreversible block polymer gels, such as polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block polymer (PBP) gels, which exhibit gel-sol transition properties, micelle formation, optical compatibility, controllable surfactant properties, molecular sieving, and biocompatibility, allowing for modular assays and controlled delivery of reporter molecules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional biological assays are used, then cell manipulation and analysis can be performed, but the processes are complex, time-consuming, and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes temperature as a critical parameter to control the gel-sol transition of block polymer gels. By changing temperature, the gel can switch between gel state (for immobilization) and sol state (for manipulation), simplifying assay procedures and reducing time requirements while maintaining analytical capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits the phase transition property of thermoreversible block polymer gels between gel and sol states. This phase transition enables automatic immobilization during analysis and easy recovery afterward, eliminating complex manual manipulation steps and reducing assay complexity and time
2Measurement precision
If cells are immobilized for analysis, then accurate optical analysis can be performed, but cell viability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The thermoreversible gel provides reversible immobilization through temperature-controlled phase transitions. At analysis temperature, cells are immobilized in the gel matrix for stable optical analysis. After analysis, cooling the gel returns it to sol state, releasing cells intact and viable for recovery and further use
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses block polymer gels with specific micelle structures that provide both immobilization capability and biocompatibility. The composite structure of the gel matrix offers mechanical support for stable analysis while maintaining a biocompatible environment that preserves cell viability throughout the process
3Loss of information
If fluorescent reporter molecules are delivered to cells, then information content increases, but controlled delivery and retention of fluorescent properties are challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The block polymer gel acts as an intermediary medium for fluorescent reporter molecule delivery. The gel matrix controls the diffusion and distribution of fluorescent molecules to cells, ensuring uniform delivery while maintaining the fluorescent properties. The gel structure facilitates controlled release and retention of fluorescent signals during analysis
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 approach simplifies and accelerates biological assays by providing a biocompatible matrix for cell and particle manipulation, enabling accurate and reproducible analysis while maintaining cell viability and facilitating high-throughput screening.
Implementation Method 1
thermoreversible block polymer gels, such as polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block polymer (PBP) gels, which exhibit gel-sol transition properties
Implementation Method 2
micelle formation, optical compatibility, controllable surfactant properties
Implementation Method 3
molecular sieving, and biocompatibility
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides the use of a composition comprising a block polymer as a support matrix in the manipulation, processing or analysis of particles, such as cells and fluorescent beads. In a preferred embodiment, the composition exhibits gel-sol thermoreversibility, micelle formation under gelling conditions, optically compatible, controllable surfactant properties, molecular sieving properties and biocompatibility. Further aspects of the invention provide (a) a support matrix composition comprising a block polymer, fluorescent beads and/or a dye for use in the manipulation, processing or analysis of particles, (b) a multichamber plate coated in a support matrix composition and (c) kits for producing the same.