High throughput screening assay systems in microscale fluidic devices
AssigneeCaliper Life Sciences, Inc.
InventorsJ. Wallace Parce, Anne R. Kopf-Sill, Luc J. Bousse
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Abstract
The present invention provides novel microfluidic devices and methods that are useful for performing high-throughput screening assays. In particular, the devices and methods of the invention are useful in screening large numbers of different compounds for their effects on a variety of chemical, and preferably, biochemical systems.
Claims23
A method of screening one or more test compounds for an effect on at least one cell using an analytical device comprising:
- flowing one or more test compounds from one or more test compound sources through one or more microfluidic channels of an analytical device fabricated in a planar substrate, wherein the one more microfluidic channels have at least one cross-sectional dimension in a range from about 0.1 to 500 μm;
- contacting the one or more test compounds with at least a first cell;
- and
- detecting a cellular response of the at least first cell to the one or more test compounds in a detection zone of the device, wherein the cellular response is selected from the group consisting of cell proliferation, cell differentiation, cell activation, activation of a cell activity mediating enzyme, stimulation of messenger turnover in the cell, alteration of cell ion flux, activation of cellular enzymes, changes in cell shape, and an alteration in expression of a gene.
A method of screening one or more test compounds for an effect on at least one cell using an analytical device comprising:
- flowing one or more test compounds from one or more test compound sources through one or more microfluidic channels of an analytical device fabricated in a planar substrate, wherein the one more microfluidic channels have at least one cross-sectional dimension in a range from about 0.1 to 500 μm;
- contacting the one or more test compounds with at least a first cell;
- and
- detecting a cellular response of the at least first cell to the one or more test compounds in a detection zone of to device, wherein the method is for characterizing one or mare receptors present in the at least first cell, wherein the one or more test compounds have an effect on at least one of the one or more receptors in the at least first cell.
A method of screening one or more test compounds for an effect on at least one cell using an analytical device comprising:
- flowing one or more test compounds from one or more test compound sources through one or more microfluidic channels of an analytical device fabricated in a planar substrate, wherein the one more microfluidic channels have at least one cross-sectional dimension in a range from about 0.1 to 500 μm;
- contacting the one or more test compounds with at least a first cell;
- and
- detecting a cellular response of the at least first cell to the one or more test compounds in a detection zone of the device, wherein the detection zone is configured to be coupled to a detector for measuring an effect of the one or more test compounds on the at least first cell by measuring a level of a detectable signal, and wherein the detectable signal is provided by a label or a change in molecular weight.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.