Abstract:
Methods for selectively capturing an extracellular vesicle (EV) from a sample. including the steps of: functionalizing a capture agent for the EV with a first molecule from a first bioorthogonal functional group such that the capture agent remains attachable to the EV and the first molecule is also able to bond to a second molecule from a second bioorthogonal functional group. the second molecule being complementary to the first molecule: mixing the functionalized capture agent with the sample such that the functionalized capture agent binds to the EV and such that an activated sample is formed: functionalizing a capture surface with the second molecule: and depositing at least a portion of the activated sample on at least a portion of the functionalized capture surface to thereby selectively capture the EV by binding of the second molecule with the first molecule.
Abstract:
A method, system and computer-readable medium for assessing a disease condition of a cancer of a subject, including: receiving a blood sample from the subject; isolating a plurality of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from the blood sample; measuring at least one of cell or cell nucleus sizes of each of the plurality of CTCs; determining a measured CTC size distribution of the plurality of CTCs based on the measuring; comparing the measured CTC size distribution to a reference CTC size distribution using a computer; and assigning the disease condition of the cancer of the subject based on the comparing.
Abstract:
A system for isolating preselected cell types from a fluid sample that includes a plurality of cell types includes a cell-capture fluidic chip, and a chip holder configured to receive the cell-capture fluidic chip and to maintain the cell-capture fluidic chip with a substantially fluid-tight seal while in operation. The chip holder is further configured to release the cell-capture fluidic chip to be removed from the chip holder for further processing. The cell-capture fluidic chip includes a substrate, a laser micro-dissection membrane disposed on the substrate, and a channel-defining layer disposed on the laser micro-dissection membrane. The laser micro-dissection membrane has a surface adapted to capture preselected cell types preferentially over other cell types of the plurality of cell types. The channel-defining layer is removable from the laser micro-dissection membrane for further processing of the cell-capture fluidic chip.124
Abstract:
Methods and kits for detecting hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence or metastasis, and of measuring markers of hepatocellular carcinoma, including markers of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence or metastasis, in a blood sample obtained from a subject by (a) isolating circulating tumor cells (CTCs) by contacting a blood sample obtained from the subject with a set of capture antibodies, wherein the capture antibodies specifically bind asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR), Glypican-3, and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM); (b) contacting the isolated CTCs with an antibody that specifically binds vimentin; and (c) measuring the number of vimentin-positive CTC.
Abstract:
A system for isolating preselected cell types from a fluid sample that includes a plurality of cell types includes a cell-capture fluidic chip, and a chip holder configured to receive the cell-capture fluidic chip and to maintain the cell-capture fluidic chip with a substantially fluid-tight seal while in operation. The chip holder is further configured to release the cell-capture fluidic chip to be removed from the chip holder for further processing. The cell-capture fluidic chip includes a substrate, a laser micro-dissection membrane disposed on the substrate, and a channel-defining layer disposed on the laser micro-dissection membrane. The laser micro-dissection membrane has a surface adapted to capture preselected cell types preferentially over other cell types of the plurality of cell types. The channel-defining layer is removable from the laser micro-dissection membrane for further processing of the cell-capture fluidic chip.
Abstract:
A method, system and computer-readable medium for assessing a disease condition of a cancer of a subject, including: receiving a blood sample from the subject; isolating a plurality of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from the blood sample; measuring at least one of cell or cell nucleus sizes of each of the plurality of CTCs; determining a measured CTC size distribution of the plurality of CTCs based on the measuring; comparing the measured CTC size distribution to a reference CTC size distribution using a computer; and assigning the disease condition of the cancer of the subject based on the comparing.
Abstract:
The present invention provides devices and methods for capturing rare cells. The devices and methods described herein can be used to facilitate the diagnosis and monitoring of metastatic cancers.
Abstract:
A method of transporting biomolecular cargo intracellularly into cells includes the operations of providing magnetic nanostructures (e.g., nanospears, nanostars, nanorods, and other nanometer-sized structures) carrying the biomolecular cargo thereon and applying an external magnetic field to move the magnetic nanostructures into physical contact with at least some of the cells (or the cells into the magnetic nanostructures). The magnetic nanostructures move into physical contact with a single cell, a subset of cells, or all cells. The external magnetic field may be applied by a moving permanent magnet although an electromagnetic may also be used. The biomolecular cargo may include a molecule, a plurality of molecules, or higher order biological constructs. For example, the biological construct may include DNA plasmids, small interfering RNA, proteins, or targeted nuclease gene-editing cargo such as zinc-finger nucleases, transcription activator-like effector nucleases, Cas9 protein, Cas9 mRNA, and associated guide RNA sequences.