Semiconductor nanocrystal-based cellular imaging
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsA. Paul Alivisatos, Carolyn A. Larabell, Wolfgang J. Parak, Mark Le Gros, Rosanne Boudreau
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Abstract
Methods for determining metabolic properties of living cells through the uptake of semiconductor nanocrystals by cells. Generally the methods require a layer of neutral or hydrophilic semiconductor nanocrystals and a layer of cells seeded onto a culture surface and changes in the layer of semiconductor nanocrystals are detected. The observed changes made to the layer of semiconductor nanocrystals can be correlated to such metabolic properties as metastatic potential, cell motility or migration.
Claims37
A method for determining metabolic properties of living cells, comprising:
- a. providing a culture surface for supporting biological activity of said cells;
- b. depositing of semiconductor nanocrystals on said culture surface;
- c. seeding—of said cells to the culture surface;
- d. detecting changes in said semiconductor nanocrystals after sufficient time has elapsed to allow the seeded cells to take up said semiconductor nanocrystals;
A method for labeling vesicles of cells contained in a sample, comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a substrate having a culture surface;
- b. depositing a layer semiconductor nanocrystals onto said culture surface;
- c. seeding said cells onto said culture surface;
- d. incubating said cells for an effective length of time to allow for said cells to take up said semiconductor nanocrystals;
- e. measuring the amount of semiconductor nanocrystals taken up by said cells.
A method for identifying a specific cell lineage, comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a substrate, having a culture surface;
- b. depositing a layer of semiconductor nanocrystals onto said culture surface;
- c. seeding cells onto said culture surface;
- d. incubating said cells for an effective length of time to yield labeled cells that have taken up at least one of said semiconductor nanocrystals;
- and
- e. allowing said cells to divide continuously and pass on said semiconductor nanocrystals that have been taken up to all daughter cells to create a population of labelled cells having semiconductor nanocrystals.
A kit comprised of a cell culture dish coated with a culture surface and one or more layers of semiconductor nanocrystals.
A kit comprised of a cell culture plate having one or more wells, wherein each of said wells is coated with a culture surface and one or more layers of semiconductor nanocrystals.
An apparatus for determining metabolic properties of a cell, comprising:
- a. an inert substrate;
- b. a culture surface deposited on said substrate;
- and
- c. a continuous layer of semiconductor nanocrystals contacting said culture surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.