California Institute of Technology

The University of British Columbia

Canadian Patents & Development Ltd.

Robert S Molday

Alan Rembaum

Shiao-Ping S Yen

Wyeth W Wasserman

Elizabeth M Simpson

Jack Hickmott

The present invention provides novel nucleic acid sequence compositions and methods relating to minimal human PAX6 promoters. The invention is based in part on the surprising discovery that certain minimal PAX6 promoter elements are capable of expressing in specific cell types in cells eye.

PAX6 minipromoters

Colloidal sized particles comprising metal particle coated with a water soluble polysaccharide derivative. The derivative is such that when it is not coating the metal, it has at least one, and preferably a number, of pendant functional groups each of which has a positive charge in aqueous solution. The metal is preferably selected from the group consisting of gold, platinum, and silver, whereas the polysaccharide may usefully be selected from the group consisting of dextran and mannan. The particles can be used as markers for biologically active molecules, or for separating different types of such molecules.

Colloidal sized metal-polysaccharide particles

The invention relates to colloidal sized particles composed of magnetic iron oxide (Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4) coated with a polysaccharide, preferably dextran, or a derivative thereof having pendant functional groups. The particles have a magnetic moment, are electron dense, and are stable and non-aggregating under physiological conditions. They can be covalently bonded to antibodies, enzymes and other biological molecules and used to label and separate cells, cellular membranes and other biological particles and molecules by means of a magnetic field.

Magnetic iron-dextran microspheres

Polymeric functional microspheres containing metal or metal compounds are formed by addition polymerization of a covalently bondable olefinic monomer such as hydroxyethylmethacrylate in the presence of finely divided metal or metal oxide particles, such as iron, gold, platinum or magnetite, which are embedded in the resulting microspheres. The microspheres can be covalently bonded to chemotherapeutic agents, antibodies, or other proteins providing a means for labeling or separating labeled cells. Labeled cells or microspheres can be concentrated at a specific body location such as in the vicinity of a malignant tumor by applying a magnetic field to the location and then introducing the magnetically attractable microspheres or cells into the circulatory system of the subject. Labeled cells can be separated from a cell mixture by applying a predetermined magnetic field to a tube in which the mixture is flowing. After collection of the labeled cells, the magnetic field is discontinued and the labeled sub-cell population recovered.

Cell sorting apparatus

Method for producing a biological reagent

Metal containing polymeric functional microspheres

Biocompatible polymeric microspheres having an average diameter below about 3 microns and having a density at least 15% greater or lesser than organic cells and having covalent binding sites are provided in accordance with this invention. The microspheres are obtained by copolymerizing a hydroxy or amine substituted acrylic monomer such as hydroxyethylmethacrylate with a light or dense comonomer such as a fluoromonomer. A lectin or antibody is bound to the hydroxy or amine site of the bead to provide cell specificity. When added to a cell suspension the marked bead will specifically label the cell membrane by binding to specific receptor sites thereon. The labelled membrane can then be separated by density gradient centrifugation.

Cell specific, variable density, polymer microspheres

Biocompatible polymeric microspheres having an average diameter below about 3 microns and having density at least 15% greater or lesser than organic cells and having covalent binding sites are provided in accordance with this invention. The microspheres are obtained by copolymerizing a hydroxy or amine substituted acrylic monomer such as hydroxyethylmethacrylate with a light or dense comonomer such as a fluoromonomer. A lectin or antibody is bound to the hydroxy or amine site of the bead to provide cell specificity. When added to a cell suspension the marked bead will specifically label the cell membrane by binding to specific receptor sites thereon. The labelled membrane can then be separated by density gradient centrifugation.

Growing community of inventors

Vancouver, Canada

Robert S Molday