Compositions, devices, and methods for cell separation
AssigneeQT Holdings Corp
InventorsSean H. KEVLAHAN, Andrew BALL, Guokui QIN, Steven B. WELLS
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Abstract
The invention features a substrate and compositions, kits, devices, and methods employing the substrate that produces an isolated population of cells from a general population. The isolated population is enriched for one or more target populations. Substrate is can be liquefied and allows recovery of unlabeled, viable, and functional cells.
Claims81
A kit comprising:
- a) a substrate attached to a binding unit configured to bind a surface of a target cell, wherein all or a portion of the substrate liquefies upon decreased availability of a crosslinking agent;
- and
- b) a strainer through which cells can pass but the substrate cannot.
A composition comprising a plurality of hydrogel microbeads, each attached to a binding unit configured to bind a surface of a target cell, wherein the hydrogel microbeads have a diameter from about 1-1000 μm and wherein all of the hydrogel microbeads liquefies upon decreased availability of a crosslinking agent.
A device comprising a container comprising an inlet and an outlet, the container containing a porous substrate and being configured to permit passage of cells from the inlet through the outlet while retaining the porous substrate within the container, wherein a binding unit configured to bind a surface of a target cell is attached to the porous substrate, and wherein all or a portion of the porous substrate liquefies upon decreased availability of a crosslinking agent.
A method for separating a target cell, the method comprising:
- a) providing a suspension of cells comprising the target cell and non-target cells;
- b) contacting the suspension with a substrate to allow target cells to bind to the substrate, wherein a binding unit configured to bind a surface of the target cell is attached to the substrate, and wherein all or a portion of the substrate liquefies upon decreased availability of a crosslinking agent;
- and
- c) removing unbound cells from the target cell bound to the substrate, thereby separating the target cell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.