In situ cell analysis in cell culture system

Abstract

The present invention includes an in-situ method, comprising a) determining a molecule selected from the group consisting of cell surface molecules and extracellular matrix molecules in a two- or three-dimensional cell culture system comprising living cells and cell culture medium, comprising the steps of i) providing an analyte probe consisting of a detection element, which binds the molecule, and one or more identification elements; ii) binding of the analyte probe to the molecule in the cell culture system, wherein the growth ability of the contained living cells is not substantially impaired by this step; iii) optionally removing unbound analyte probes; iv) releasing the analyte probe; v) transferring the analyte probe into a container which differs from the cell culture system; vi) detecting the identification element(s); and b) continuing the cell cultivation in the cell culture system.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.