System, device, and method for single-cell encapsulation and culture
AssigneeUniversity of Maryland, College Park
InventorXiaoming He
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The disclosure relates generally to a system, device, and method for cell culturing. In certain embodiments, the system, device, and method may be used to encapsulate single cells in embryo-like, core-shell microcapsules. In some embodiments, microfluidic devices may be utilized to fabricate core-shell hydrogel microcapsules, which may be used to encapsulate individual cells. In some embodiments, the disclosed system and method are utilized to encapsulate cancer stem cells. The disclosed system, device, and method can be used to isolate and culture CSCs, to facilitate the understanding of cancer biology and etiology, and to advance the development of effective CSC-targeted cancer therapies.
Claims31
A composition comprising a one single cell encapsulated within a microparticle, wherein the microparticle comprises a core material enveloped by an outer shell, the core material comprising from about 0.1% to about 10% hyaluronic acid and a hydrogel, the outer shell comprising a spherical or substantially spherical polyanioic matrix, and the outer shell is from about 5 to about 500 nanometers in thickness.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.