Arizona State University

University of Washington

Yanqing Tian

Deirdre Meldrum

Fengyu Su

Laimonas Kelbauskas

Liqiang Zhang

Clifford Anderson

Jeff Houkal

Xiangxing Kong

Kristen Lee

Roger H Johnson

Cody Youngbull

Hong Wang

Jacob Messner

Honor Glenn

Sean Buizer

Ganquan Song

Benjamin Ueberroth

Kwan-Yue Jen

Jingdong Luo

Yen-Ju Cheng

Kimberly Bussey

Tae-Dong Kim

Zhengwei Shi

Weiwen Zhang

Su Huang

Xinghua Zhou

Mark Holl

Vivek Nandakumar

Wacey Teller

Roger Johnson

Meryl Rodrigues

Xianfeng Zhou

Hongguang Lu

Yuguang Jin

Brent M Polishak

A thixotropic and biocompatible gel, formed by combining of 4-arm polyethylene glycol with fumed silica (PEG-silica). The thixotropicity of the gel is affected by the ratio of PEG to silica. To study the gel's biocompatibility, the cell suspension in PBS or another medium was added to the PEG-silica gel via mixing to uniformly disperse the cells in the gel and then placed in an incubator before performing fluorescence live-dead assays. Duration of cell viability (cell life time) in gels was measured to be up to several days, depending on gel composition. Due to their optical and fluidic properties the gels are compatible with live cell imaging including 3D computed tomography and offer a means for moving the cells in a highly controllable manner by applying and removing pressure on the gels.

Thixotropic biocompatible gel for live cell observation in cell computed tomography

A multi-layer sealing structure for sealing a microwell array defined in or on a substrate includes at least one front compliant layer, a back compliant layer, and a flexural layer arranged between the at least one front compliant layer and the back compliant layer, wherein the at least one front compliant layer is closer than the back compliant layer to microwells of the microwell array. One or more front compliant layers may be optically reflective and/or may embody a sensor layer. The back compliant layer may include an adhesive or various types of rubber, and the flexural layer may include a polymeric material or metal. A multi-layer sealing structure may be separated from a microwell array by peeling. A multi-layer sealing structure allows local disruption of sealing where particle contaminants are present without compromising the sealing performance of an entire microwell array, and without requiring a large sealing force.

Layered structure for improved sealing of microwell arrays

A microfluidic device includes a first substrate including at least one microfluidic channel and a plurality of microwells, as well as a cooperating second substrate defining multiple split-walled cell trap structures that are registered with and disposed within the plurality of microwells. A method for performing an assay includes flowing cells and a first aqueous medium into a plurality of microwells of a microfluidic device, wherein each microwell includes a cell trap structure configured to trap at least one cell. The method further comprises flowing a nonpolar fluid with low permeability for analytes of interest through a microfluidic channel to flush a portion of the first aqueous medium from the microfluidic channel while retaining another portion of the first aqueous medium and at least one cell within each microwell. Surface tension at a non-polar/polar medium interface prevents molecule exchange between interior and exterior portions of microwells.

Device and method for high-throughput multiparameter measurements in one or more live and fixed cells

Fluorescent pH sensors are provided. The fluorescent pH sensor comprises a copolymer for sensing pH and a polymerized form of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) or 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). The probe for sensing pH has formula (I): wherein Rand Rare as defined herein. The fluorescent pH sensors may be used in determining the pH of a sample and detecting extracellular pH in a sample. Methods for preparing the fluorescent pH sensors and the probe for sensing pH are also provided.

Fluorescent pH sensors and methods of preparing them

An integrated technological platform enabling real-time quantitative multiparameter metabolic profiling, utilizing either or both of extra and intracellular optical sensors, individually or simultaneously. A scalable embedded micropocket array structure, generally fabricated on fused silica substrates, facilitates the integration of multiple, spatially separated extracellular sensors for multiparameter analysis in a container formed with the use of an activation mechanism forming part of a device configured to hold the container during the measurements. The creation of hermetically sealed microchambers is carried out with a pneumatically and/or mechanically and/or electromechanically driven device that is 'floating' within the holding device and that is optionally equipped with a vacuum/suction mechanism to hold a component of the container at its surface.

Integrated platform for characterization of single cells or small cell clusters

A device for high-throughput multi-parameter functional profiling of the same cells in multicellular settings and in isolation is provided. In certain aspects, an integrated microfluidic device for multi-parameter metabolic and other phenotypic profiling of live biological cells is useable with: 1) multicellular clusters or small biopsy tissue samples, 2) cultures of the constituent cells obtained after cluster/tissue dissociation, and 3) the same constituent single cells in isolation. The approach enables study of the effects of multicellular complexity, such as in response to treatment, pathogens, stress, or other factors concerning disease origination and progression. Measurements may be performed on single cells or multicellular populations or tissues in the same assay at the same time.

Device for high-throughput multi-parameter functional profiling of the same cells in multicellular settings and in isolation

Mitochondria-targeting potassium sensors and method(s) for making such sensors. The sensor shows a response to potassium and displays a 130-fold dynamic range of fluorescence intensity and high brightness. The sensors response to potassium concentrations was demonstrated to be unaffected by cellular pH value and/or concentrations of other ions. The sensors can be used for monitoring the mitochondrial potassium efflux/influx.

Mitochondria-targeting fluorescent potassium+ sensor and method of making the same

The present disclosure relates to an optical fluorescence sensor comprising a probe for sensing glucose, an intra-reference probe, and a matrix. The present disclosure also relates to an optical fluorescence dual sensor comprising a probe for sensing glucose having two boronic acid moieties, a probe for sensing oxygen comprising modified porphyrin, an intra-reference probe that is rhodamine-based, and a matrix. The present disclosure additionally relates to methods of preparing these sensors and methods of using them.

Tri-color dual glucose and oxygen sensors and methods of preparing and using them

Novel methods and devices including modified endoscopes that employ fiber optic technology and multiple extrinsic optical sensors for enablement of simultaneous determination of change rates of biological analytes in vivo with single-cell resolution. The devices employ dynamic oscillatory actuation to determine the gradient of analytes of interest along one or multiple directions with respect to the cell. The change rate or flux of the analyte of interest can be easily determined by applying the first Fick's law that relates the flux with the concentration gradient. The dual operation mode of the device markedly increases measurement sensitivity and accuracy.

Endoscope for analyte consumption rate determination with single cell resolution for in vivo applications

A triple sensor structured for simultaneous measurement of glucose, oxygen, and pH. The sensor components are in thin film states such as sensing films or membranes, with a glucose probe associated with emission of radiation in the blue part of the spectrum, an oxygen probe associated with radiation in red portion of the spectrum, and a pH probe&#x2014;with a green portion of the spectrum. The optical probes are chemically grafted or immobilized in a suitable polymer matrix, alleviating the leaching of the probes from the matrix, improving the thin film sensing stability, and enabling the repeatable use of the same sensing films.

Cellarium: thin-film sensor with microarray seal

This disclosure relates generally to potassium ion sensors and monomers derived from such sensors. The disclosure also provides for polymers (e.g., random copolymers, nanoparticles, polymer thin films, and sensors) having polymerized monomeric potassium ion sensors as described herein. These compounds and polymers are useful for measuring intracellular and extracellular potassium ion concentrations.

Fluorescent potassium ion sensors

The present invention relates to an optical fluorescence dual sensor comprising a probe for sensing pH, a probe for sensing oxygen, an intra-reference probe and a matrix. The present invention also relates to methods of preparing an optical fluorescence dual sensor and methods of using them.

Optical fluorescence dual sensors and methods of preparing and using them

Alkoxy-substituted phenyltetraene nonlinear optically active compounds, films and devices that include the compounds, and methods for making and using the compounds, films, and devices.

Growing community of inventors

Tempe, AZ, United States of America

Yanqing Tian