Method for separating cells

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method of separating cells of interest which method comprises: determining cells of interest; selecting a promoter specific for the cells of interest; introducing a nucleic acid molecule encoding green fluorescent protein under control of the promoter into a plurality of cells; and separating cells of the plurality of cells that are expressing said green fluorescent protein, wherein the separated cells are the cells of interest.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of separating cells of interest which method comprises: 
 determining cells of interest;    selecting a promoter specific for said cells of interest;    introducing a nucleic acid molecule encoding green fluorescent protein under control of said promoter into a plurality of cells; and    separating cells of said plurality of cells that are expressing said green fluorescent protein, wherein said separated cells are said cells of interest.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said introducing comprises viral mediated transformation of said plurality of cells.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said viral mediated transformation comprises adenovirus mediated transformation.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said introducing comprises electroporation.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said introducing comprises biolistic transformation.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said introducing comprises liposomal mediated transformation of said plurality of cells.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said separating comprises fluorescence activated cell sorting.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said cell of interest is a neuronal cell and said promoter is specific for said neuronal cell.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said neuronal cell and said promoter are selected from the group consisting of: a neuron and a neuron-specific enolase promoter; a developing or regenerating neuron and a MAP-1B promoter; a neuron and an L1 promoter; a dopaminergic neuron and an aromatic amino acid decarboxylase promoter; a noradrenergic neuron and a dopamine β-hydroxylase promoter; a neuron and an NCAM promoter; a neuronal precursor cell and an NCAM promoter; a neural cell and an NCAM promoter; a neuronal precursor cell and an HES-5 HLH protein promoter; a neuron and an α1-tubulin promoter; a neuronal precursor cell and an α1-tubulin promoter; a developing or regenerating neuron and an α1-tubulin promoter; a neuron and an α-internexin promoter; a developing or regenerating neuron and an α-internexin promoter; a peripheral neuron and a peripherin promoter; a mature neuron and a synapsin promoter; and a developing or regenerating neuron and a GAP-43 promoter.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said cell of interest is an oligodendrocyte and said promoter is specific for said oligodendrocyte.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said oligodendrocyte and said promoter are selected from the group consisting of: an oligodendrocyte and a cyclic nucleotide phosphorylase I promoter; a myelinating oligodendrocyte and a myelin basic protein promoter; an oligodendrocyte and a JC virus minimal core promoter; an oligodendrocyte precursor and a JC virus minimal core promoter; a myelinating oligodendrocyte and a proteolipid protein promoter; and an oligodendrocyte precursor and a cyclic nucleotide phosphorylase II promoter.