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: 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 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: 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.