Office of Technology Development

Microscope Slide Holder Facilitates Centrifugation of Cells in Small and Whole Blood Samples

SK1463

Summary of Invention

The device, a microscope slide holder, permits cells to be gently spun directly onto the slide. This enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of the centrifugation process and permits a better visualization of the cells on the slide. The device fits into any standard centrifuge and can be reused.

Background

In order to perform FISH on cells, complicated methods must be employed to obtain cell adherence to a microscope slide, often resulting in cell loss and reduced yield. This is a major concern, particularly when studying rare cells in basic research and clinical testing. Additionally, there are challenges associated with cell culture plates that allow for growth of cells on microscope slides that will be subject to subsequent FISH analysis; these include increased risk of microscope lens damage due to residual adherents of cell culture wells. This slide holder offers a simple, cost-effective solution.

Advantages

Each device accommodates as many as four microscope slides, so that more samples can be uniformly treated and analyzed.
The slide holder fits into any standard centrifuge that has adaptors for spinning cell culture plates.
It facilitates rare-event detection and preservation of morphology and cell clusters, even in whole blood samples.
There is very little cell loss compared to other methods of spinning cells onto slides.
The device can be sterilized and reused.

Areas of Application

Basic research and clinical laboratory tests, both simple visualization and counting, as well as for FISH-based methods.
Potential utility for high throughput analysis.

Stage of Development

Manufacture of proof-of-principle prototype and demonstration of whole-blood FISH of sarcoma cells has occurred. More information about the device, including product specifications and results obtained from utilizing it with whole blood samples, is available upon request.

Lead Inventor

Alexei Morozov, MD

Patent Information

U.S. patent application published: US2011/0266181

Contact

Yashodhara Dash, MBBS, PhD, MBA, CLP
Senior Licensing Manager
Tel:646-888-0577; Fax: 212-717-3439
E-mail: dashy@mskcc.org

Stage of Development

Ready to use

Categories

analysis (uh-NA-lih-sis)

A process in which anything complex is separated into simple or less complex parts.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

blood (blud)

A tissue with red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other substances suspended in fluid called plasma. Blood takes oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, and carries away wastes.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cell (sel)

The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cell culture (sel KUL-cher)

The growth of microorganisms such as bacteria and yeast, or human, plant, or animal cells in the laboratory. Cell cultures may be used to diagnose infections, to test new drugs, and in research.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

clinical (KLIH-nih-kul)

Having to do with the examination and treatment of patients.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

culture (KUL-cher)

The beliefs, values, and behaviors that are shared within a group, such as a religious group or a nation. Culture includes language, customs, and beliefs about roles and relationships.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

device (dee-VISE)

An object that has a specific use. In medicine, wheelchairs, pumps, and artificial limbs are examples of devices.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

FISH

A laboratory technique used to look at genes or chromosomes in cells and tissues. Pieces of DNA that contain a fluorescent dye are made in the laboratory and added to cells or tissues on a glass slide. When these pieces of DNA bind to specific genes or areas of chromosomes on the slide, they light up when viewed under a microscope with a special light. Also called fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

lens (lenz)

A clear disk that focuses light, as in a camera or microscope. In the eye, the lens is a clear, curved structure at the front of the eye behind the pupil. It focuses light rays that enter the eye through the pupil, making an image on the retina (light-sensitive layers of nerve tissue at the back of the eye).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

microscope (MY-kroh-SKOPE)

An instrument that is used to look at cells and other small objects that cannot be seen with the eye alone.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

morphology (mor-FAH-loh-jee)

The science of the form and structure of organisms (plants, animals, and other forms of life).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

sarcoma (sar-KOH-muh)

A cancer of the bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

will (wil)

A legal document in which a person states what is to be done with his or her property after death, who is to carry out the terms of the will, and who is to care for any minor children.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)