Electromicroinjection of particles into living cells

Patent · Tue Nov 15 00:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5999122

Ray, F A; Cram, L S; Galey, W R

Method and apparatus are described for introducing particles into living cells. Fluorescently-stained human chromosomes are introduced into cultured, mitotic Chinese hamster cells using electromicroinjection. The recipient cells frequently survived the physiological perturbation imposed by a successful chromosome injection. Successfully injected recipient cells maintained viability as evidenced by their ability to be expanded. The technique relies on the surface charge of fluorescently stained chromosomes and their ability to be attracted and repelled to and from the tip of a micropipette. The apparatus includes a micropipette having a tip suitable for piercing the membrane of a target cell and an electrode inserted into the lumen thereof. The target cells and suspended particles are located in an electrically conducted solution, and the lumen of the micropipette is filled with an electrically conducting solution which contacts the electrode located therein. A second electrode is also located in the conducting solution containing the target cells and particles.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
• Patent Number(s): US 4784737
• OSTI ID: 5999122
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 18 Apr 1986
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
CHO CELLS
CELL CULTURES
CHROMOSOMES
FLUORESCENCE
INJECTION
CYTOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES
DISTURBANCES
ELECTRODES
EQUIPMENT
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GENETIC ENGINEERING
HUMAN POPULATIONS
PARTICLES
PHYSIOLOGY
SOLUTIONS
ANIMAL CELLS
DATA
DISPERSIONS
INFORMATION
INTAKE
LUMINESCENCE
MIXTURES
NUMERICAL DATA
POPULATIONS
550200* - Biochemistry
550400 - Genetics
550300 - Cytology