Patent · US Expired

Cell motility assay

US6238874A · kind A · utility

59Cited by
5References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 28, 1999
Grant dateMay 29, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 28, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S436/809
  • WIPO fieldBiotechnology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

An apparatus and method of use for assaying cellular motility in response to a concentration gradient of a chemotactic agent. Generally, the apparatus includes a chamber having a region for receiving a biological sample containing cells of interest and, spaced apart from such region, another region for receiving a chemotactic agent. Between these regions, a concentration gradient of chemotactic agent is established. The apparatus further includes an optical system for detecting and mapping the positions of individual cells responsive to such concentration gradient. Means for processing and analyzing the collected data are also provided. Motility determinations may be made on purified or unpurified samples. Single-site assay devices and multi-site, high-throughput assay devices are disclosed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.