Roll, cage, big and small

Based on the ability of cells to attach to the surface and roll along it, scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, working under the leadership of Dr. Rohit Karnik, have developed a simple, inexpensive system for sorting various types of cells, which in the future can be used to diagnose diseases such as cancer, even in the field.

Under certain conditions, some types of cells interact with the surface, for example, of a blood vessel, rolling along it. The surface used in the new device is covered with thin strips of material interacting with certain types of cells. These lines are positioned diagonally to the flow of fluid (blood) containing cells passing along the surface, which makes it possible to sort the cells contained in it that interact specifically with the "sticky" bands.

This method can be used, for example, to separate malignant cells from normal ones and in the future create a simple diagnostic screening device based on it. Stem cells also have the ability to selectively bind to certain surfaces, which makes it possible to use the proposed device to obtain samples enriched with these cells.

Currently, the isolation of a certain fraction of cells is a multi–stage process, which requires a complex of laboratory equipment that is too complex for mass screening of blood samples in the field, especially in remote regions. In addition, certain types of cells, including stem cells, are very sensitive to external influences, and the new system allows them to be isolated with less damage than using traditional multi-stage laboratory techniques.

After the functionality of the basic principles of the new technique is demonstrated in the laboratory, the authors hope that within a maximum of two years they will develop a standard device for use for research purposes. It will take at least another five years to create its clinical version, which requires large-scale testing.

Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of ScienceDaily

11.03.2008