Download Rapid Characterisation of Cells

OFFICE OF COMMERCIALISATION AND INNOVATION
Rapid Characterisation of Cells
by Fluorescence Microscopy and Hyperspectral Analysis
THE EXISTING PROBLEM OR ISSUE
There is a shortage of methods to rapidly identify
biochemical content and corresponding morphologies of
single cells and tissues (live and fixed) without the use of
intrusive chemical procedures. Current methods based
on biochemical, and physiological criteria, molecular
DNA analysis or fluorescence labelling are complex,
time consuming and/or reagent intensive or they are
unsuitable for single cells. OUR SOLUTION
We developed an automated reagent-free method for
cellular characterization based on intrinsic fluorescence
microscopy. Our method uses autofluorescence, light
emitted by native molecules found in all cells.
The fluorescence images of live cells are obtained at a
number of selected excitation wavelengths and their
emission is captured in a specified, longer wavelength
range using a standard microscope with a CCD camera
and a customised inexpensive light source comprising
multiple light emitting diodes. The light source can be
retrofitted to any fluorescence microscope and is
available as a separate IP. Autofluorescence
micrographs of cell populations are analysed using
custom-developed software to gather information about
cellular content of key biomolecules of relevance to
metabolism and hundreds of related quantitative
features such as cell size, circularity, integrated intensity
at each wavelength, average fluorophore content and
texture.
Example cellular maps of key fluorophores. Cells
are outlined in white.
APPLICATIONS
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High throughput screening of
Automatic analysis of cells in cell cultures
Study the effect of pharmaceutical agents
Find and/or isolate “most potent” stem cells,
viable sperm, “best” early embryos
ADVANTAGES
BENEFITS
Fully quantitative
diagnostic method
Provides cellular level insight
into cell metabolism
Able to distinguish cell
subpopulations
No cell preparation
Applicable to live and fixed cells
and tissue
Speed
Image collection is several
minutes
Sensitive
Detects stem cell differentiation
24 hours after onset
With our method we are then able to:
1. Provide detailed insights into cell biochemistry and
identify the abundances of several native
fluorophores including free and bound NADH,
flavins, retinoids, cytochrome C and others.
2. Identify previously undetected cell subpopulations
and capture statistically meaningful differences
between cell subpopulations
3. Detect stem cell differentiation as early as 24 hours
after onset.
4. Distinguish cancer from non-cancer
5. Measure reactive oxygen species and some surface
biomarkers (CD90)
6. Recognises genetic differences and the effect of
chemical treatment.
INVENTORS
Ewa Goldys, Martin Gosnell,
Ayad Anwer, Sandeep
Perinchery, David Inglis.
research.mq.edu.au
CRICOS Provider 00002J
2010008
OFFICE OF COMMERCIALISATION AND INNOVATION
Rapid Characterisation of Cells
by Fluorescence Microscopy and Hyperspectral Analysis
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY POSITION
WO 2015/120209 “Cell Characterisation Method”
WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE?
Contact Anna Grocholsky +61(0) 437 463 317 or
[email protected]
research.mq.edu.au
CRICOS Provider 00002J
2010008