Encoded microparticles (original) (raw)
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A novel embryo identification system by direct tagging of mouse embryos using silicon-based barcodes
Human Reproduction, 2011
background: Measures to prevent assisted reproductive technologies (ART) mix-ups, such as labeling of all labware and doublewitnessing protocols, are currently in place in fertility clinics worldwide. Technological solutions for electronic witnessing are also being developed. However, none of these solutions eliminate the risk of identification errors, because gametes and embryos must be transferred between containers several times during an ART cycle. Thus, the objective of this study was to provide a proof of concept for a direct embryo labeling system using silicon-based barcodes. methods: Three different types of silicon-based barcodes (A, B and C) were designed and manufactured, and microinjected into the perivitelline space of mouse pronuclear embryos (one to four barcodes per embryo). Embryos were cultured in vitro until the blastocyst stage, and rates of embryo development, retention of the barcodes in the perivitelline space and embryo identification were assessed every 24 h. Release of the barcodes after embryo hatching was also determined. Finally, embryos microinjected with barcodes were frozen and thawed at the 2-cell stage to test the validity of the system after cryopreservation.
Optical encoding of microbeads for gene screening: alternatives to microarrays
Drug Discovery Today, 2001
HTS supplement | reviews w We are just beginning to see how radically gene-based science can change the ways in which new drugs are discovered and developed. In the future, new generations of drugs will increasingly be tailored to individual patients and will target not only disease treatment but also disease prevention. Within the next decade, doctors will be able to remove much of the guesswork from diagnosis and drug prescription by sequencing a patient's DNA (Ref. 1). Tests will be available that will either guide preventative therapy, signal a need for lifestyle changes, or enable early intervention with medicines. However, it is not just healthcare that will benefit. To understand how genes work, scientists will compare them between many individuals at different stages of life and under different conditions. By studying the
Human Reproduction, 2013
study question: Is the attachment of biofunctionalized polysilicon barcodes to the outer surface of the zona pellucida an effective approach for the direct tagging and identification of cultured embryos? summary answer: The results achieved provide a proof of concept for a direct embryo tagging system using biofunctionalized polysilicon barcodes, which could help to minimize the risk of mismatching errors (mix-ups) in human assisted reproduction technologies. what is known already: Even though the occurrence of mix-ups is rare, several cases have been reported in fertility clinics around the world. Measures to prevent the risk of mix-ups in human assisted reproduction technologies are therefore required. study design, size, duration: Mouse embryos were tagged with 10 barcodes and the effectiveness of the tagging system was tested during fresh in vitro culture (n ¼140) and after embryo cryopreservation (n ¼ 84). Finally, the full-term development of tagged embryos was evaluated (n ¼105). participants/materials, setting, methods: Mouse pronuclear embryos were individually rolled over wheat germ agglutinin-biofunctionalized polysilicon barcodes to distribute them uniformly around the ZONA PELLUCIDA surface. Embryo viability and retention of barcodes were determined during 96 h of culture. The identification of tagged embryos was performed every 24 h in an inverted microscope and without embryo manipulation to simulate an automatic reading procedure. Full-term development of the tagged embryos was assessed after their transfer to pseudo-pregnant females. To test the validity of the embryo tagging system after a cryopreservation process, tagged embryos were frozen at the 2-cell stage using a slow freezing protocol, and followed in culture for 72 h after thawing. main results and the role of chance: Neither the in vitro or in vivo development of tagged embryos was adversely affected. The tagging system also proved effective during an embryo cryopreservation process. Global identification rates higher than 96 and 92% in fresh and frozen-thawed tagged embryos, respectively, were obtained when simulating an automatic barcode reading system, although these rates could be increased to 100% by simply rotating the embryos during the reading process. limitations, reasons for caution: The direct embryo tagging developed here has exclusively been tested in mouse embryos. Its effectiveness in other species, such as the human, is currently being tested.
A 'mini???microtome'for preparing serial sections directly on a light microscope stage
Journal of Microscopy, 1995
for attachment to the objective; at the opposite end are two locating pins for horizontal movement [3] and the threaded A simple 'mini-microtome' is described which can be horizontal adjustment spindle [8] with spring [lo]. attached to a standard compound microscope. The device The upper plate has three horizontal and three vertical enables small biological specimens, such as parasitic guide holes, the central ones are for the horizontal and helminths, to be sectioned with precise orientation. vertical adjustment spindles [8 and 15, respectively], and
Microparticles in physiological and in pathological conditions
Cell biochemistry and function, 2010
Chronic diseases pose a severe burden to modern National Health Systems. Individuals nowadays have a far more extended lifespan than in the past, but healthy living was only scantily extended. As much as longer life is desirable, it is saddened by chronic diseases and organ malfunctions. One contributor to these problems was recognized to be represented by microparticles (MPs). Our purpose is to better understand MPs, to contrast their ominous threat and possible clinical importance. For this intent we correlated MPs with thrombotic pathologies, hemophilia, malaria, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, endothelial dysfunctions, pulmonary hypertension, ischemic stroke, pre-eclampsia, rheumatologic diseases—rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis—dermatomyositis, angiogenesis and tumor progression—cancer; we listed the possibilities of using them to improve transfusion methods, as a marker for acute allograft rejection, in stem cell transplantation, as neuronal biomarkers, to understand gender-specific susceptibility for diseases and to improve vaccination methods and we presented some methods for the detection of MPs. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of microgels for optical tagging
In this paper we present results from our research into the use of microgel-based photonic crystals in an optical tagging application. The basis for this research is the phenomena of self-assembly of hydrogel nano-and microparticles (i.e., microgels) into colloidal crystal Bragg reflectors. Previous research has demonstrated the assembly of Bragg structures that are sensitive in the visible spectral region. This current research focuses on the extension of this process into the infrared regime and the use of these infrared-sensitive structures in the creation of an optical tag. In particular, the research effort emphasizes two primary areas: the development of nanoparticles that are infrared-sensitive and the casting of thin films comprised of these particles. We will also present theoretical data on the optical and physical characteristics of thin films comprised of these particles. This paper will present an overview of the program, outline the processes and issues addressed during our initial efforts in creating these infrared sensitive structures and present a summary of the computational results based on the theoretical analyses.