Apparatus for magnetic separation of cells

摘要

Described here is an automated robotic device that isolates circulating tumor cells (CTCs) or other biological structures with extremely high purity. The device uses powerful magnetic rods covered in removable plastic sleeves. These rods sweep through blood samples, capturing, e.g., cancer cells labeled with antibodies linked to magnetically responsive particles such as superparamagnetic beads. Upon completion of the capturing protocol, the magnetic rods undergo several rounds of washing, thereby removing all contaminating blood cells. The captured target cells are released into a final capture solution by removing the magnetic rods from the sleeves. Additionally, cells captured by this device show no reduced viability when cultured after capture. Cells are captured in a state suitable for genetic analysis. Also disclosed are methods for single cell analysis. Being robotic allows the device to be operated with high throughput.

主权项

1. A device for capture and isolation of target cells from a mixed cell population wherein the target cells are labeled with magnetically responsive material to form labeled target cells, comprising:
(a) a container for holding the labeled target cells; (b) a magnetic member having a tip end and another end connected to an actuator; (c) a sleeve between the magnetic member and the mixed cell population to prevent direct contact of cells with the magnetic member, said sleeve being nonmagnetic and nonadherent to cells in the mixed cell population; (d) said sleeve being separable from the magnetic member by the actuator, which actuator causes movement between the magnetic member and the sleeve, whereby the magnetic member is moved more or less into the sleeve; and (e) said actuator being constructed and arranged for causing in the device (i) relative orbital stirring movement between the magnetic member and the mixed cell population to contact the magnetic member with a majority of cells in the mixed cell population, and (ii) movement of the magnetic member into and out of the container to retrieve target cells from the mixed cell population.