Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Harvard College

Children's Medical Center Corporation

President and Fellows of Havard College

Daniel I C Wang

George M Whitesides

Donald Elliot Ingber

Amit Kumar

Gregory N Stephanopoulos

Gabriel P Lopez

Rahul Singhvi

T Alan Hatton

Lev E Bromberg

Bernat Olle

Paul E Laibinis

Jin Yin

Andre Ditsch

The invention provides a device for adhering cells in a specific and predetermined position, and associated methods. The device includes a plate defining a surface and a plurality of cytophilic islands that adhere cells, isolated by cytophobic regions to which cells do not adhere, contiguous with the cytophilic islands. The islands or the regions or both may be formed of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM).

Device containing cytophilic islands that adhere cells separated by cytophobic regions

The present invention relates to multi-polymer-coated magnetic nanoclusters, aqueous magnetic fluids comprising same, and methods of their use in separation procedures. The multi-polymer-coated magnetic nanoclusters comprise a super paramagnetic core, with a first polymer attached thereto, which does not render the first polymer-super paramagnetic particle complex colloidally stable, and a second polymer attached thereto, which stabilizes the complex of multi-polymer-coated magnetic nanoparticles. Methods of use comprise methods of separation, including separation of expressed protein from cells and viruses expressing the same.

Multi-polymer-coated magnetic nanoclusters

One aspect of the present invention relates to magnetic nanoparticles colloidally stabilized in aqueous milieu by association with an organic phase. The organic phase may be either a fluorinated polymer or an organic hydrocarbon bilayer, wherein the two layers are chemically bonded to each other. The stabilized particles are further non-toxic and provide useful enhancements in bioprocesses. Another aspect of the present invention relates to compositions comprising an oxygen-dissolving fluid vehicle and surface modified, nanometer-sized magnetic particles. The inventive compositions have utility in a wide range of applications, but are particularly suitable for use as recyclable oxygen carriers, separation and purification vehicles, and bioprocessing media, including fermentation processes.

Bioprocesses enhanced by magnetic nanoparticles

Methods and a device are provided for adhering cells in a specific and predetermined position. The device comprises a plate defining a surface and a plurality of cytophilic islands that adhere cells which are isolated by cytophobic regions to which cells do not adhere. The cytophobic regions can be wide enough such that less than 10 percent of the cells adhered to the cytophilic islands are allowed to form bridges across the cytophobic regions and contact each other. Further, the islands or the regions or both may be formed of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM). The methods are for forming a patterned surface for a population of cells and for selectively manipulating individual cells formed on the surface of the plate of the device. Furthermore, the device is used in immobilization of cells at a surface and for controlling shape of the cells.

Adhering cells to cytophilic islands separated by cytophobic regions to form patterns and manipulate cells

Growing community of inventors

Cambridge, MA, United States of America

Daniel I C Wang