Density analysis of organisms by magnetic levitation
AssigneePresident and Fellows of Harvard College
InventorsGeorge M. WHITESIDES, Anna LAROMAINE SAGUÉ, Ratmir DERDA, Charles R. MACE, Katherine A. MIRICA, Alfonso Reina CECCO, Suzanne HULME
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Abstract
A device and methods for detecting the effect of compounds on an organism are provided. Furthermore, the device and methods disclosed herein allow for the fractionation of complex samples and the isolation of one or more organisms for the samples. The device and methods also allow for the study of development of the organism.
Claims29
A method for detecting an effect of a compound of interest on a biological system, comprising:
- contacting a test sample comprising an organism with the compound of interest;
- applying a magnetic field to the test sample in a paramagnetic solution;
- determining the density of the organism in the test sample, wherein the organism occupies a position in the magnetic field that corresponds to its density;
- comparing the density or location of the organism in the test sample to a reference density or location of an untreated reference organism;
- and
- detecting the effect of the compound of interest on a biological condition based on a change in density of the organism.
A method for determining the toxicity of a compound on a biological system, comprising:
- contacting a plurality of test samples comprising an organism to a compound of interest at increasing concentrations;
- applying a magnetic field to the test samples;
- determining the density of the organism in the plurality of test samples, wherein the organism occupies a position in the magnetic field that corresponds to its density;
- identifying the density in the test sample with a level of altered fat content of the organism, wherein a preselected level of fat content is associated with toxicity;
- and
- determining a concentration of the compound of interest that provides a density in the organism associated with toxicity.
A method of evaluating an embryo, comprising:
- exposing a paramagnetic solution comprising an embryo to a magnetic field, wherein the embryo occupies a position in the magnetic field that is an indication of its density;
- monitoring the position of the embryo with time;
- and
- detecting a change in location over time, the change in location being associated with gestational development of the embryo.
A method of sorting a population of organisms, comprising:
- exposing a paramagnetic solution comprising a population of organisms to a magnetic field, wherein individual members of the population occupy positions in the magnetic field that correspond to their densities;
- and
- sorting the population based on its position in the magnetic field.
A method of analyzing a sample for the presence of an organism, comprising:
- exposing a test sample to a magnetic field;
- determining positions in the magnetic field of one or more constituent components of the test sample, wherein the positions are characteristic of their densities;
- and
- detecting the presence or absence of a component at a predetermined position in the magnetic field that is associated with the presence or absence of the organism in the test sample.
A method of analyzing an organism of interest, comprising:
- providing a paramagnetic solution of a composition and osmolality compatible with an organism of interest;
- introducing the organism of interest into the paramagnetic solution;
- applying a magnetic field to the paramagnetic solution;
- and
- detecting density of the organism of interest by determining the position of the organism of interest in the magnetic field.
A device for determining the effect of a compound on a biological system, comprising:
- a pair of permanent magnets positioned to provide a magnetic field of a predetermined field gradient;
- a sample holder located within the magnetic field for receiving a sample comprising an organism;
- and
- a scale affixed to the magnet pair for use in determining the relative and/or absolute positions of organisms viewable in a sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.