Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fiber optic device consisting of a fiber bundle having multiple legs of silica fibers, using a plurality of microspheres construct to attach target cells, for the assay of cytotoxic compounds. Each leg of silica fibers consists of twenty-five or more silica fibers treated with biotin and streptavidin treated microspheres which chemically bind the microspheres to the silica fibers. Further, the present invention is directed to the unique microspheres. The microspheres have a core, preferably alginate, with an outer surface of chitosan. The present invention is further directed to the use of the described fiber optic device to isolate, research and develop biological medicaments and diagnostic cytotoxic compounds. The fiber optic device utilizes thousands of fibers and the unique microspheres to provide a high-throughput screening device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fiber optic device consisting of a fiber bundle having multiple legs of silica fibers, using a plurality of microspheres construct to attach target cells, for the assay of cytotoxic compounds. Each leg of silica fibers consists of twenty-five or more silica fibers treated with biotin and streptavidin treated microspheres which chemically bind the microspheres to the silica fibers. Further, the present invention is directed to the unique microspheres. The microspheres have a core, preferably alginate, with an outer surface of chitosan. The present invention is further directed to the use of the described fiber optic device to isolate, research and develop biological medicaments and diagnostic cytotoxic compounds. The fiber optic device utilizes thousands of fibers and the unique microspheres to provide a high-throughput screening device.