Methods and devices for determining a cell characteristic, and applications employing the same
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsJames K. Gimzewski, Andrew E. Pelling
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Abstract
The present invention provides methods of determining a characteristic of a cell, such as cell type, cellular response to a biochemical event, and biological state. The method generally involves detecting membrane movement in a cell to determine a characteristic of a cell. The methods of the invention are useful for applications such as drug screening and diagnostics. The invention further provides databases of cell characteristics, as determined by the instant methods. The invention further provides systems for determining the characteristic of a cell.
Claims16
A micromirror consisting of:
- a flat member, the flat member having a reflector surface and a cell attachment surface, wherein the reflector surface and the cell attachment surface are on opposite faces of the flat member of the micromirror;
- and
- one or more cell attachment moieties immobilized on the cell attachment surface, wherein the reflector surface of the micromirror is movably responsive to movements of an attached cell, and wherein the surface area of the micromirror is in a range from 25 nm2 to about 750 nm2.
A micromirror consisting of:
- a flat member, the flat member having a reflector surface and a cell attachment surface, wherein the reflector surface and the cell attachment surface are on opposite faces of the flat member of the micromirror;
- and
- one or more cell attachment moieties immobilized on the cell attachment surface, wherein the reflector surface of the micromirror is movably responsive to movements of an attached cell, and wherein the micromirror is circular in shape and has a diameter in a range from 10 nm to 5 μm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.