Single cell selection and isolation
AssigneeErasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam
InventorMiao-Ping CHIEN
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
According to one method, a sample with cells contains a phototagging agent. The sample is imaged to identify at least one target cell to be isolated. The identified target cell in the sample is selectively irradiated with photo-activating light for selectively activating the phototagging agent in the target cell to change its fluorescence response. The irradiated target cell is isolated from other cells in the sample based on a difference in its fluorescence response compared to non-activated phototagging agent in the other cells. Further aspects are directed to a corresponding microscope system and chemical compound for use as the phototagging agent.
Claims21
A method for isolating cells, the method comprising p1 providing a sample with cells containing a phototagging agent;
- imaging the sample to identify at least one target cell to be isolated;
- selectively irradiating the identified target cell in the sample with photo-activating light for selectively activating the phototagging agent in the target cell to change its fluorescence response;
- and
- isolating the irradiated target cell from other cells in the sample based on a difference in its fluorescence response compared to non-activated phototagging agent in the other cells.
A microscope system for isolating cells, the system comprising
- a sample holder configured to hold a sample with cells containing a phototagging agent;
- one or more image light sources configured to illuminate the sample with imaging light;
- at least one light detector configured to detect a sample image of the illuminated sample for spatially resolving the cells;
- a controller configured to
- determine a target selection of an imaged target cell based on the sample image, and
- determine target coordinates of a corresponding target cell in the sample based on the target selection;
- one or more photo-activation light sources configured to generate photo-activating light for activating the phototagging agent to change its fluorescence response;
- and
- beam patterning and/or steering optics configured to
- receive the target coordinates of the target cell, and
- selectively direct the photo-activating light to irradiate a target location of the target cell in the sample based on the target coordinates.
A cell permeable chemical compound for use as phototagging agent inside a cell, the chemical compound comprising a caged fluorophore moiety conjugated to a photosensitizer moiety.
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.