Measurement of the cell activity and cell quantity

Abstract

This invention uses a receptor molecule such as an antibody etc immobilized to a chip for a solid phase, and a sensor such as a pH electrode or an oxygen electrode or a glucose electrode for a search device. After immobilizing specific living cells by a bio-specific recognition reaction (a special immunity bond reaction) and washing the solid phase chip, one can measure the change of pH or oxygen consumption or glucose consumption from the metabolism of the specific living cells in substrate solution. This makes it possible to measure the activity and quantity of living cells specifically, accurately and quickly.

1 - 43  (cancelled)  
     
     
         44 : A chip for immobilizing at least one specific living cell or at least one specific living organelle in a sample, comprising: 
 (a) a surface comprising polyionic layers in an alternating arrangement of at least one polyanion layer and at least one polycation layer substantially parallel to the surface of said chip; and    (b) at least one receptor molecule affixed to said surface and capable of binding a specific molecule on a surface of said at least one specific living cell or organelle.    
     
     
         45 : The chip according to  claim 44 , wherein said polyionic layers comprise at least one amphiphilic layer.  
     
     
         46 : The chip according to  claim 44 , wherein said surface comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a polymer, a glass, a semiconductor material, a metal, and a combination thereof.  
     
     
         47 : The chip according to  claim 44 , wherein said surface comprises a capillary.  
     
     
         48  The chip according to  claim 47 , wherein said at least one receptor molecule is affixed to the inner surface of the capillary.  
     
     
         49 : The chip according to  claim 44 , wherein said at least one receptor molecule is selected from the group consisting of at least one antibody, at least one ligand molecule, and at least one receptor.  
     
     
         50 : The chip according to  claim 44 , wherein said at least one receptor molecule is affixed to the top polyionic layer of said surface by a binding method comprising covalent binding.  
     
     
         51 : The chip according to  claim 44 , wherein said at least one receptor molecule is affixed to the top polyionic layer of said surface by a binding method comprising non-covalent binding.  
     
     
         52 : The chip according to  claim 44 , wherein said at least one receptor molecule is affixed to the top polyionic layer of said surface by a binding method comprising a combination of covalent and non-covalent binding.  
     
     
         53 : The chip according to  claim 44 , wherein said at least one receptor molecule is affixed to the top polyionic layer of said surface by a binding method comprising biotin-avidin binding.  
     
     
         54 : The chip according to  claim 44 , wherein said at least one receptor molecule is affixed to the top polyionic layer of said surface by a binding method comprising aminosilane coupling.  
     
     
         55 : The chip according to  claim 44 , wherein said sample comprises whole blood.  
     
     
         56 : The chip according to  claim 44 , wherein said at least one specific living cell comprises a T-lymphocyte.  
     
     
         57 : The chip according to  claim 56 , wherein said T-lymphocyte comprises a CD4+ T-lymphocyte.  
     
     
         58 : The chip according to  claim 44 , wherein said specific molecule on the surface of said at least one specific living cell or organelle comprises a CD antigen.  
     
     
         59 : The chip according to  claim 58 , wherein said CD antigen comprises a CD4 antigen.  
     
     
         60 : An apparatus for measuring at least one measurement of at least one specific living cell or at least one specific living organelle in a sample, comprising: 
 (a) the chip according to  claim 44;     (b) at least one pumping means; and    (c) at least one detection device.    
     
     
         61 : The apparatus according to  claim 60 , wherein said at least one measurement of said at least one specific living cell or organelle is selected from the group consisting of quantity, morphology, physiological activity, and a combination thereof.  
     
     
         62 : The apparatus according to  claim 60 , wherein said pumping means is capable of pumping at least one of the group consisting of a sample solution, a wash solution, a reagent solution, a substrate solution, a labelling solution, and a combination thereof.  
     
     
         63 : The apparatus according to  claim 60 , wherein said at least one detection device is comprises at least one detector selected from the group consisting of a pH sensor, a gas sensor, a metabolite sensor, a microscope, a camera, a charge-coupled device, and a combination thereof.