The Provost Fellows and Scholars of the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth, Near Dublin

Cellix Limited

Vivienne Williams

Igor V Shvets

Dmitry Kashanin

Dermot P Kelleher

Yuri Volkov

Dmitriy Kashanin

Frank O'Dowd

Dhruv Gandhi

Dmitri Kashanin

A system to determine the transfection status of at least one cell in a population of cells includes a fluidic device comprising a microfluidic channel and a detection zone comprising a detection electrode module comprising two electrodes configured to detect electrical impedance between the electrodes transversely across the channel in the detection zone; corresponding to a cell passing the detection zone, a pump fluidically coupled to the fluidic device and configured to pump the population of cells in a carrier liquid along the microfluidic channel, and a processor operatively coupled to the detection electrode module and configured to detect a change in electrical impedance corresponding to a cell passing the detection zone, compare the change in electrical impedance with a reference change in electrical impedance corresponding to a cell of known transfection status, and calculate the transfection status of the cell based on the comparison.

Method of determining the transfection status of a plurality of cells

The present invention is directed to a method for measuring the migration of cells in a channel under the influence of an analyte wherein said cells are separated from said analyte by a semi-permeable membrane and said cells are subjected to controlled flow conditions while the analyte is static and in the form of a viscous substance or gel.

Method for measuring the migration of cells in a channel under the influence of an analyte

Biological assays using various constructions of biochips are disclosed to mirror in vivo situations. The biochipcomprises a microchannelhaving a liquid outlet port, bubble release portand a liquid outlet portwith an associated bubble release port. A multiplicity of tests can be performed often by coating the bore of the microchannelwhich various adhesion mediating proteins or the use of chemoattractants. The assay assemblycomprises a syringe pump feeding the biochip. An inverted microscope, digital cameraand recorderare provided. A sample liquid containing cells in suspension is injected slowly through the biochip and the effect of the assay recorded over a long period.

Method of assaying cellular adhesion with a coated biochip

A liquid outlet link assembly is provided for liquid delivery output rates below 10 &mgr;l per minute so as to smooth out the flow from a positive displacement pump which has an immediate step pumping rate which is relatively substantially larger than the delivery rate required through the liquid outlet means. Essentially, this liquid link assembly has a bubble of air or some other pressure activated expansion means which initially contracts on the step pump such as a syringe pump operation and then gradually expands over time, allowing a steady output rate through the link assembly.

Liquid pumping system

Biological assays using various constructions of biochips are disclosed to mirror in vivo situations. The biochip comprises a microchannel having a liquid outlet port , bubble release port and a liquid outlet port with an associated bubble release port . A multiplicity of tests can be performed often by coating the bore of the microchannel which various adhesion mediating proteins or the use of chemoattractants. The assay assembly comprises a syringe pump feeding the biochip . An inverted microscope , digital camera and recorder are provided. A sample liquid containing cells in suspension is injected slowly through the biochip and the effect of the assay recorded over a long period.

Growing community of inventors

Dublin, Ireland

Vivienne Williams