University System of Maryland

Stuart Martin

Christopher M Jewell

Elisabeth Lily Sooklal

James I Andorko

Rebecca Whipple Bettes

Kristi Chakrabarti

Rebecca Whipple-Bettes

The present invention provides a method for imaging microtentacles on isolated, living, non-adherent primary tumor cells from a cancer subject comprising: i) obtaining one or more living, non-adherent primary tumor cells that has been isolated from a solid tumor from the subject; and ii) imaging the one or more living, non-adherent primary tumor cells and detecting the microtentacles.

Microtentacle imaging in patient tumor samples

The present invention provides a device for assaying living cells comprising a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises one or more tethering molecules which adhere to the substrate and are capable of interacting with cell membranes of the cells, wherein the cells maintain a free-floating, non-adherent character when bound to the one or more tethering molecules.

Materials and methods for assaying living cells

The present invention generally concerns microtubule protrusions in cancer cells, including detached cancer cells, and inhibition of the protrusions. In particular aspects, the inhibition of the protrusions interferes with attachment of the cell to a vessel wall, and in further aspects the cell is killed by forcing it to enter capillaries and be destroyed, for example by shearing. Inhibition by a variety of agents and methods is contemplated.

Growing community of inventors

Severna Park, MD, United States of America

Stuart Martin