Devices, Systems, and Methods for Cell Analysis in Microgravity

Abstract

Effective cellular microscopic and image analysis requires placement of cells into a proper focal plane, region, or volume. Such placement often requires immobilization of the cells. Cell settling onto a substrate is often sufficient for cell immobilization; however, no significant settling occurs in microgravity. Cell immobilization in microgravity may be accomplished by treatment of a substrate, the cells, or both effective that the substrate captures and immobilizes the cells for inspection. Cells may be immobilized in microgravity by adhering magnetic particles to the cells and applying a magnetic field. Cells may be placed in a proper location for viewing in microgravity by placing the cells into a small chamber or narrow channel. Centrifugal force may effect cell settling and aid cell immobilization. Proper placement or immobilization of cells aids cellular microscopic and image analysis in microgravity.

1 - 75 . (canceled) 
     
     
         76 . A method for imaging cells from a fluid biological sample in microgravity, comprising:
 placing said biological sample in a transportable device for imaging cells from a fluid biological sample, wherein said transportable device comprises an optically transmissive external surface configured to transmit light from an illumination source; an entry port configured to receive a fluid biological sample comprising cells; and an internal chamber in fluid communication with said entry port and comprising an optically transmissive internal surface substantially parallel to said optically transmissive external surface;   immobilizing said cells on said optically transmissive surface of said internal chamber; and   imaging said cells in microgravity.   
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein said transportable device further comprises an outlet portion configured to allow gas egress during receipt of said biological sample. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein said immobilizing comprises contacting said cells with an adhesion agent disposed on said internal surface of said internal chamber. 
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 76 , further comprising treating said cells to provide an adhesion agent on said cells, or to alter said cells effective to bind with an adhesion agent disposed on said internal surface of said internal chamber. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein said adhesion agent is selected from an antibody, an antibody fragment, an antibody mimic, an immunoadhesin, a cell receptor, a ligand, a nucleic acid, a nucleic acid analog, a polypeptide, a polymer, a lectin, a lipid, an oligosaccharide, a polysaccharide, biotin, avidin, a derivative thereof, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 78 , wherein said adhesion agent comprises an antibody, an antibody fragment, an antibody mimic, or an immunoadhesin that specifically binds a target selected from CD45, CD235, CD41, and CD61. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein said immobilizing comprises contacting said cells with magnetic particles. 
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 82 , further comprising applying a magnetic field effective to attract said magnetic particles to said internal surface of said internal chamber. 
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein said immobilizing is effected by contact between said cells and said internal chamber. 
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 76 , further comprising reducing a dimension of said internal chamber, effective to increase contact between said cells and said internal chamber. 
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 85 , wherein said reducing a dimension of said internal chamber effects fluid flow of fluid from said chamber, wherein said fluid flow form said chamber occurs without substantial loss of cells from said internal chamber. 
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein at least a portion of said internal chamber comprises porous material, wherein said porous material is configured to allow fluid flow without allowing substantial loss of cells from said internal chamber. 
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein said sample has a volume selected from the group of volumes of no more than about 1 mL, or no more than about 500 μL, or no more than about 250 μL, or no more than 100 μL, or no more than about 75 μL, or no more than about 50 μL, or no more than about 25 μL, or no more than about 10 μL, or no more than about 5 μL, or no more than about 1 μL. 
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein said sample is a sample selected from blood, serum, plasma, saliva, sputum, urine, gastric fluid, digestive fluid, tears, sweat, stool, semen, vaginal fluid, interstitial fluid, fluid derived from tumorous tissue, ocular fluids, mucus, earwax, oil, glandular secretions, spinal fluid, skin, cerebrospinal fluid from within the skull, tissue, fluid or material from a nasal swab, a throat swab, a cheek swab, or nasopharyngeal wash, biopsy fluid or material, placental fluid, amniotic fluid, cord blood, lymphatic fluids, cavity fluids, pus, microbiota obtained from a subject, meconium, and breast milk. 
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 89 , wherein said sample is a blood sample. 
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein immobilizing cells on said optically transmissive surface of said internal chamber comprises drying of said sample.