US 2026/0286286 A1 · Method to Form Microbial Biofilms on Functionalized Hydrogel Polymer Particles for Diagnostics and Cell Culture Applications

Abstract

Described herein are methods, compositions and systems for the capture, enrichment, culture, and manipulation of microbial cells and biofilms, cancer cells, and extracellular vesicles from liquid sample matrices. The disclosed methods employ magnetically responsive hydrogel particles comprising cationic, anionic, or zwitterionic polymeric materials conjugated to magnetic cores and functionalized with chemical moieties that promote electrostatic and physicochemical interactions with target cell membranes. These interactions enable selective attraction and capture of viable cells and associated cellular components based on membrane electrochemical properties. Following capture, the particles and associated targets are magnetically separated to concentrate the cells and may be directly subjected to culture conditions to support proliferation and biofilm formation in the presence of the particles. Subsequent manipulation and analysis are performed using magnetic separation steps, without reliance on centrifugation or filtration.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A type of magnetic hydrogel particle wherein the hydrogel material is coated on magnetic core, which is composed of magnetic nanoparticle infused polymeric microparticle, and the hydrogel material is connected to the polymeric material via covalent chemical bonds and wherein,

a. the hydrogel material is either doped with any or two or multiple of the following cationic groups—substituted or non-substituted amine groups (—NH2, —NH—R—, —R1—(N—)—R2—, (—N+)—(R1—)(R2—)(R3—)) or imine groups (>C═NH, >C═N—R), guanidinium group [(R1R2N)(R3R4N)C═NR5], pyridinium group (C5H5N+R), sulfonium group (—S+R1R2R3), carbenium and oxonium groups,
b. or the hydrogel material is doped with any or two or multiple of the following anionic groups—carboxyl (—COOH) group, sulfonate and sulfate (RSO3− and ROSO3− respectively) groups, phosphate (ROPO32-) group, or alkoxide (RO−) group,
c. or the hydrogel material is doped with one or two or multiple zwitterionic moieties, which contain one or multiple of the mentioned cationic groups and one or multiple of the mentioned anionic groups,
where “R” s represent hydrogen, or alkyl, alkenyl, or aromatic group, which may be bonded or non-bonded to other organic moieties.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method to Form Microbial Biofilms on Functionalized Hydrogel Polymer Particles for Diagnostics and Cell Culture Applications

Life of this patent

Method to Form Microbial Biofilms on Functionalized Hydrogel Polymer Particles for Diagnostics and Cell Culture Applications

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20