Electroporation cuvette insert for facilitating membrane-based fusion
AssigneeBio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
InventorCharles W. Ragsdale
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Cuvette inserts adapted and configured to fit within an electroporation cuvette. The inserts each include a support structure that holds a porous membrane. When positioned within the cuvette, the membrane is positioned proximal the cuvette electrodes to facilitate membrane-based fusion of cells. In certain aspects, a tube extends through the support structure to allow for application of negative pressure in a convenient location away from electrode contacts and other components of the cuvette or cuvette holder.
Claims14
An electroporation cuvette insert for creating a membrane-based fusion cuvette from an electroporation cuvette, the insert comprising:
- a porous membrane having an upper surface and a lower surface;
- a support structure for holding the membrane, the support structure being of a sufficient dimension to securely match the inner walls of an electroporation cuvette, wherein the support structure creates a substantially sealed chamber within the cuvette below the lower surface of the membrane when inserted into the cuvette;
- and
- a tube extending upwards relative to the upper surface of the membrane and through the support structure, wherein when a negative pressure is applied to a distal end of the tube, a negative pressure is created in the sealed chamber of the cuvette, thereby creating a pressure gradient at the upper surface of the porous membrane.
An electroporation cuvette insert in combination with an electroporation cuvette, the insert comprising:
- a porous membrane having an upper surface and a lower surface;
- a support structure for holding the membrane, the support structure being of a sufficient dimension to securely fit within the inner walls of the electroporation cuvette, wherein the support structure creates a substantially sealed chamber within the cuvette below the lower surface of the membrane when inserted into the cuvette;
- and
- a tube extending upwards relative to the upper surface of the membrane and through the support structure, wherein when a negative pressure is applied to a distal end of the tube, a negative pressure is created in the sealed chamber of the cuvette, thereby creating a pressure gradient at the upper surface of the porous membrane.
A method of forming a fusion-based cuvette from an electroporation cuvette, the method comprising:
- providing an electroporation cuvette having external electrode contacts proximal a bottom portion;
- providing an insert having a support structure for holding a porous membrane, and a tube extending through the support structure, said insert being configured to fit within the electroporation cuvette;
- securing the insert within the electroporation cuvette so as to form a substantially air-tight chamber below the support structure and membrane, and such that application of a vacuum to the end of the tube creates a negative pressure in the chamber and a pressure gradient at an upper surface of the membrane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.