Host cells with artificial endosymbionts
AssigneeBell Biosystems, Inc.
InventorsCaleb B. Bell, III, Alexey Bazarov
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Abstract
The present invention is directed generally to eukaryotic cells comprising single-celled organisms that are introduced into the eukaryotic cell through human intervention and which transfer to daughter cells of the eukaryotic cell through at least five cell divisions, and methods of introducing such single-celled organisms into eukaryotic cells. The invention also provides methods of using such eukaryotic cells. The invention further provides single-celled organisms that introduce a phenotype to eukaryotic cells that is maintained in daughter cells. The invention additionally provides eukaryotic cells containing magnetotactic bacteria.
Claims32
A method of detecting a eukaryotic cell, comprising magnetically imaging a eukaryotic cell containing at least one magnetotactic bacterium, wherein the eukaryotic cell is capable of undergoing at least three cell divisions and wherein the magnetotactic bacterium is capable of being transferred to daughter cells of the eukaryotic cell through at least three cell divisions.
A method of magnetically manipulating a eukaryotic cell, comprising magnetically localizing a eukaryotic cell containing at least one magnetotactic bacteria, wherein the eukaryotic cell is capable of undergoing at least three cell divisions and wherein the magnetotactic bacterium is capable of being transferred to daughter cells of the eukaryotic cell through at least three cell divisions.
A method of damaging a eukaryotic cell, comprising subjecting a eukaryotic cell to an alternating magnetic field or a spinning magnetic field, wherein the eukaryotic cell contains at least one magnetotactic bacterium, wherein the eukaryotic cell is capable of undergoing at least three cell divisions and wherein the magnetotactic bacterium is capable of being transferred to daughter cells of the eukaryotic cell through at least three cell divisions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.