Method of cell capture
View Patent ↗Embodiments of methods and devices are disclosed for the manipulation (e.g., concentration, purification, capture, trapping, location, transfer) of analytes, e.g., biomolecules, with respect to analyte-containing solutions, using one or more electric fields.
1. A method comprising:
generating an alternating electric field, between two co-extensive, elongated, electrically-conductive members;
capturing polarizable cells in a sample, in the alternating electric field, between the two co-extensive, elongated, electrically-conductive members, and
removing the two co-extensive, elongated, electrically-conductive members with the polarizable cells captured therebetween, from the sample, while maintaining the alternating electric field.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sample comprises a complex mixture.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alternating electric field has a time-averaged, integrated field strength that is zero when taken over one complete cycle.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, contacting the sample with a binding component before removing the two co-extensive, elongated, electrically-conductive members.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
applying a first direct current electric field to the co-extensive, elongated, electrically-conductive members prior to generating the alternating current electric field.
6. The method of claim 5 further comprising applying a second direct current electric field, oppositely charged relative to the first direct current electric field, to the co-extensive, elongated, electrically-conductive members after removing the co-extensive, elongated, electrically-conductive members.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polarizable cells are captured in a tip region of the two co-extensive, elongated, electrically-conductive members.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polarizable cells are present in a buffered electrolyte solution.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the removing comprises holding the device in an operator's hand.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises, moving at least one of the co-extensive, elongated, electrically-conductive members between a cell pick-up position and a cell deposition position.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the capturing comprises concentrating a plurality of cells between the co-extensive, elongated, electrically-conductive members.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the capturing comprises capturing a plurality of cells between a plurality of pairs of co-extensive, elongated, electrically-conductive members.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the two co-extensive, elongated, electrically-conductive members are separated from one another by a distance of between about 20 micrometers and 2 millimeters.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the two co-extensive, elongated, electrically-conductive members are separated from one another by a distance of from 20 micrometers to 1.50 millimeters.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the two co-extensive, elongated, electrically-conductive members are separated from one another by a distance of between 100 micrometers and 0.75 millimeter.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the two co-extensive, elongated, electrically-conductive members are separated from one another by a distance of between about 0.75 millimeter and 1.0 millimeter.