Hydrogel particles with tunable optical properties

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to compositions comprising a hydrogel particle with optical properties substantially similar to the optical properties of a target cell, and methods for their use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising a hydrogel particle, wherein the hydrogel particle has at least one optical property substantially similar to that of a target cell, wherein the optical property is measured by a cytometric device. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogel particle has an SSC within 10% of that of a target cell, as measured by a cytometric device. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogel particle has an FSC within 10% of that of a target cell, as measured by a cytometric device. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogel particle has a refractive index of greater than about 1.15. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogel particle has a refractive index of greater than about 1.3. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogel particle has a refractive index of greater than about 1.7. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogel particle has a diameter of less than about 30 μm. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein the hydrogel particle has a diameter of less than about 10 μm. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the hydrogel particle has a diameter of less than about 1 μm. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogel particle comprises colloidal silica. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogel particle is functionalized. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the hydrogel particle comprises a free amine group. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the hydrogel particle comprises allyl amine. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the target cell is an immune cell, eukaryotic cell, or bacteria. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogel particle is produced by polymerizing a droplet. 
     
     
         16 . A population of hydrogel particles comprising a plurality of hydrogel particles, wherein each of the hydrogel particles has at least one optical property substantially similar to that of a target cell, wherein the population of hydrogel particles is substantially monodisperse. 
     
     
         17 . The population of hydrogel particles of  claim 16 , wherein no more than 10% of the hydrogel particles have an average diameter greater than about 10% of the average diameter of the population of hydrogel particles. 
     
     
         18 . The population of hydrogel particles of  claim 17 , wherein no more than 5% of the hydrogel particles have an average diameter greater than about 5% of the average diameter of the population of hydrogel particles. 
     
     
         19 . A method of calibrating a cytometric device for analysis of a target cell, the method comprising a) inserting into the device a hydrogel particle having optical properties substantially similar to the optical properties of the target cell; b) measuring the optical properties of the hydrogel particle using the cytometric device.