Abstract: A system and method for separating particles is disclosed in which the particles are exposed to a moving light intensity pattern which causes the particles to move a different velocities based on the physical properties of the particles. This system and method allows particles of similar size and shape to be separated based on differences in the particles dielectric properties.

Abstract: A method for sorting a particle of interest from a plurality of particles includes the steps of determining an absorption maxima of the particle of interest, providing a light source for generating a beam of coherent light at a wavelength correlating to the absorption maxima, providing a plurality of particles on a support surface, and imparting relative motion between the beam of coherent light and the plurality of particles so as to cause differential movement between the particle of interest and the plurality of particles. The particle of interest is then collected.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for interacting light with particles, including but not limited to biological matter such as cells, in unique and highly useful ways. Optophoresis consists of subjecting particles to various optical forces, especially optical gradient forces, and more particularly moving optical gradient forces, so as to obtain useful results. In biology, this technology represents a practical approach to probing the inner workings of a living cell, preferably without any dyes, labels or other markers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for interacting light with particles, including but not limited to biological matter such as cells, in unique and highly useful ways. Optophoresis consists of subjecting particles to various optical forces, especially optical gradient forces, and more particularly moving optical gradient forces, so as to obtain useful results. In biology, this technology represents a practical approach to probing the inner workings of a living cell, preferably without any dyes, labels or other markers. In one aspect, a method is provided for interacting an optical gradient field in three dimensions with a particle by interfering two beams to generate a plurality of planar fronts, providing a plurality of particles in a medium, and moving the planar fronts relative to the particles, whereby the particles are separated at least in part based upon the dielectric constant of the particles.

Abstract: A syringe tissue sieve for producing viable, single cell suspensions includes a syringe barrel having a lumen between a proximal end and a distal end thereof, a wire mesh screen disposed within the lumen of the syringe barrel, the wire mesh screen being oriented perpendicular to the axial direction of the lumen, and a plunger moveable within the lumen of the syringe barrel. In an alternative embodiment, the wire mesh screen is located in a collar assembly which can be loaded into off-the-shelf syringes.

Abstract: A method for identifying activated T-cells from naive T-cells using a moving optical gradient comprises the steps of providing a sample of cells containing T-cells, moving the cells and the optical gradient relative to each other so as to cause displacement of at least some of the cells, measuring the displacement of at least a portion of the displaced cells, and comparing the measured displacement of the T-cells with a known measured displacement of naive T-cells. The method can also be used to identify T-cell activating agents.

Abstract: A method for detecting cellular differentiation using Optophoretic analysis is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a plurality of cells, moving an optical gradient relative to the plurality of cells so as to cause displacement of at least some of the plurality of cells, measuring the travel distance of at least some of the plurality of cells, repeating the steps of moving the optical gradient and measuring the travel distance of at least some of the plurality of cells, and identifying those cells having changing travel distances. The method is able to detect the early onset of cellular differentiation. The method is also applicable to detecting and monitoring adipogenesis.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for interacting light with particles, including but not limited to biological matter such as cells, in unique and highly useful ways. Optophoresis consists of subjecting particles to various optical forces, especially optical gradient forces, and more particularly moving optical gradient forces, so as to obtain useful results. In biology, this technology represents a practical approach to probing the inner workings of a living cell, preferably without any dyes, labels or other markers. The invention includes methods for separating particles in a medium where the particles having differing dielectric constants by providing a medium having a dielectric constant between the dielectric constants of the particles, subjecting the particles in the media to an optical gradient field, and separating the particles.

Abstract: A device for characterizing a cell or particle includes a channel having an inlet and an outlet, the channel containing a moving fluid therein for carrying the cell or particle from the inlet to the outlet. The device includes a detector for detecting the presence of a cell or particle along portion of the channel, the detector including a first detecting position, a second detecting position, and a third detecting position. The device further includes a light source providing an optical gradient disposed within the channel and between the second and third detecting positions. A control system is coupled to the detector to receive and process detected signals from the detector. During operation, the amount of time that a cell or particle takes to flow through a first distance (i.e., its time-of-flight) is measured. The cell or particle is then flowed past a second, downstream distance in the presence of an optical gradient and its time-of-flight is measured.

Abstract: A method for identifying the inhibitory potential of a chemical compound to inhibit DNA topoisomerase I includes the steps of providing a population of cells, treating the population of cells to different concentrations of the chemical compound, and subjecting the treated cells to whole-cell optical interrogation to determine whether the chemical compound affected any cells within the population of cells. The method can also be applied to identify cells that are resistant to DNA topoisomerase I inhibitors.

Abstract: Optophoretic methods are used to determine one or more biological properties or changes in biological properties of one or more cells or cellular components. The methods use optical or photonic forces to select, identify, characterize, and/or sort whole cells or groups of cells. The methods are useful in a number of applications, including, but not limited to, drug screening applications, toxicity applications, protein expression applications, rapid clonal selection applications, biopharmaceutical monitoring and quality control applications, cell enrichment applications, viral detection, bacterial drug sensitivity screening, environmental testing, agricultural testing, food safety testing, personalized medicine applications as well as biohazard detection and analysis.

Abstract: A method for quantitatively determining the level of protein kinase C (PKC) activation in cells in response to exposure to a PKC activating compound using a moving optical gradient including the steps of providing a series of cell samples, exposing the series of cell samples to different concentrations of the PKC activating compound, moving the cells and the optical gradient relative to each other so as to cause displacement of at least some of the cells, measuring the displacement of at least a portion of the displaced cells for each of the different concentrations, generating a dose response curve of the measured displacement as a function of the concentration of the PKC activating compound, and determining the potency of the PKC activating compound from the dose response curve. The method can also be used to determine the relative efficacy of the PKC activating compound as compared to a standard compound.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for determining whether a suspect cell is cancerous using an optical gradient includes the steps of moving the suspect cell and the optical gradient relative to each other so as to cause displacement of the cell, measuring the displacement of the cell, comparing the measured displacement of at least one non-cancerous control cell. The step of comparing the measured displacement of the suspect cell and the at least one non-cancerous control cell determines whether the suspect cell is cancerous. The method can also be used to identify cancerous cells in a sample by identifying those cells having the largest measured displacements as a result of the relative movement between the cells and the optical gradient.

Abstract: A method of screening for inhibitors of the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase enzyme using a moving optical gradient includes the steps of providing a panel of cell lines having, on average, different copy numbers of the gene that produces the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase enzyme, exposing the panel of cell lines with a chemical compound, moving the cells in the panel of cell lines and the optical gradient relative to each other so as to cause displacement of at least some of the cells, measuring the displacement of at least a portion of the displaced cells in each cell line, and comparing the measured displacements with measured displacements from control cells from each cell line that have not been treated with the chemical. The comparison step determines whether the chemical compound is an inhibitor of the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase enzyme.

Abstract: A method for detecting the onset of apoptosis in cells using a moving optical gradient includes the steps of exposing at least a portion of the cells to at least one chemical compound, moving the cells and the optical gradient relative to each other so as to cause displacement of at least some of the cells, measuring the displacement of at least a portion of the displaced cells, comparing the measured displacement with the measured displacement of at least one control cell that has not been treated with the at least one chemical compound. The step of comparing the measured displacement of the control and tested cells determines the onset of apoptosis. Methods are also provided for monitoring cells throughout apoptosis.

Abstract: Optophoretic methods are used to determine one or more biological properties or changes in biological properties of one or more cells or cellular components. The methods use optical or photonic forces to select, identify, characterize, and/or sort whole cells or groups of cells. The methods are useful in a number of applications, including, but not limited to, drug screening applications, toxicity applications, protein expression applications, rapid clonal selection applications, biopharmaceutical monitoring and quality control applications, cell enrichment applications, viral detection, bacterial drug sensitivity screening, environmental testing, agricultural testing, food safety testing, as well as biohazard detection and analysis.