Abstract: Disclosed is a method and compositions for the differential expansion of fetal cells over maternal cells. In the method, cells from a sample of maternal blood containing CD34+ cells of both maternal and fetal origin are incubated in the presence of Stem Cell Factor in serum free media. It has been discovered that incubation of fetal cells in the presence of SCF will preferentially expand the fetal cells relative to adult cells. Fetal cells can also be identified, enriched or obtained by differential expansion of the fetal cells during colony formation. It has been discovered that differential expansion of fetal cells can result in colonies of fetal cells that are larger than colonies of adult cells. The fetal CD34+ cells can be expanded without generation of significant clonal genetic artifacts during expansion. Also disclosed is a method and compositions for producing differentiated fetal cells.

Abstract: We have performed separation of bacterial and cancer cells from peripheral human blood in microfabricated electronic chips by dielectrophoresis. The isolated cells were examined by staining the nuclei with fluorescent dye followed by laser induced fluorescence imaging. We have also released DNA and RNA from the isolated cells electronically and detected specific marker sequences by DNA amplification followed by electronic hybridization to immobilized capture probes. Efforts towards the construction of a “laboratory-on-a-chip” system are presented which involves the selection of DNA probes, dyes, reagents and prototyping of the fully integrated portable instrument.

Abstract: We have performed separation of bacterial and cancer cells from peripheral human blood in microfabricated electronic chips by dielectrophoresis. The isolated cells were examined by staining the nuclei with fluorescent dye followed by laser induced fluorescence imaging. We have also released DNA and RNA from the isolated cells electronically and detected specific marker sequences by DNA amplification followed by electronic hybridization to immobilized capture probes. Efforts towards the construction of a “laboratory-on-a-chip” system are presented which involves the selection of DNA probes, dyes, reagents and prototyping of the fully integrated portable instrument.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for detecting the extent of hybridization of a nucleic acid in a sample to a probe nucleic acid sequence by electronically hybridizing the nucleic acid in the sample to the probe, utilizing the hybridized nucleic acid as a template in a nucleic acid polymerase reaction to extend the bound probe and incorporate a labeled nucleotide, and detecting the labeled product. This invention also relates to methods of detecting the extent of hybridization of a plurality of nucleic acids in a sample to a plurality of nucleic acid probes using similar methods.

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: 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: 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.

Abstract: We have performed separation of bacterial and cancer cells from peripheral human blood in microfabricated electronic chips by dielectrophoresis. The isolated cells were examined by staining the nuclei with fluorescent dye followed by laser induced fluorescence imaging. We have also released DNA and RNA from the isolated cells electronically and detected specific marker sequences by DNA amplification followed by electronic hybridization to immobilized capture probes. Efforts towards the construction of a “laboratory-on-a-chip” system are presented which involves the selection of DNA probes, dyes, reagents and prototyping of the fully integrated portable instrument.