Small Grants for Exploratory Research: Separation of Cells and Biological Macromolecules by Antibody Receptor Coated Magnetic Vesicles and Ferritin Conjugates

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This project explores a new immunomagnetic method for rapidly and efficiently separating cells or biological macromolecules from a mixture. T he method uses vesicles with antibodies Fc-receptors attached on them and with magnetic nanoparticles encapsulated within the aqueous vesicles cores. The vesicles then bind selectively on the antibodies attached to specific cells, which are then separated magnetically. The magnetic vesicles are separated from the cells and can be 'recycled'. A second method using ferritin molecules conjugated with Fc-receptors, rather than vesicles with Fc-receptors, is also explored for comparison. A model system of sheep red blood cells and chicken red blood cells has been successfully separated. The mechanism of binding is investigated by light and electron microscopy. Various separation schemes are explored. The results are potentially applicable to clinical separations - e.g. cancer cells from healthy cells, - biomedical research, and biotechnology.