Dead-cell Removal Technology
ImmunoSolv is committed to developing reagents and devices that mimic in vitro the efficient dead-cell removal mechanisms that are so important for the health of tissues in vivo, thereby improving the quality of cells in the laboratory.
Dead-Cert® Nanoparticles for simple, effective dead-cell removal
Removal of dead cells improves quality, productivity, storage and utility of cell populations.
Importance of dead-cell removal in vivo and in vitro
Programmed cell death (apoptosis) is a feature of all tissues. Apoptotic cells are swiftly, and in inflammatory terms quietly, removed by phagocytes, a homeostatic process that keeps tissues healthy. Necrotic (dead) cells, which are never present in normal tissues, cause tissue damage. In vitro, the phagocytic clearance mechanism is absent, dead cells persist, and their inhibitory effects lead to sub-optimal cell culture conditions with accumulation of dead cells and debris.
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Dead-Cert® Nanoparticles: Simple devices for effective direct removal of non-viable cells in vitro
Our Dead-Cert® technology has been developed to discriminate viable cells from non-viable cells and cell debris in vitro. Using discriminatory molecules coupled to the surface of 250 nm super-paramagnetic nanoparticles, we have developed a simple, yet highly effective dead-cell removal device: Dead-Cert® Nanoparticles. Because of their ability to bind to membrane structures that are not accessible on viable cells - represented by the red symbols in the cartoons - the coated particles are able to bind selectively to apoptotic (dying) as well as necrotic (dead) cells and cell debris.
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Once bound to non-viable cells and debris, the Dead-Cert® Nanoparticles can be readily removed with the aid of a simple magnet, dragging the unwanted, inhibitory cells and debris with them and leaving the viable cells behind. No columns are required and no specialist equipment. Because the coated nanoparticles are designed to interact with conserved structures exposed on non-viable cells, they have broad application to multiple cell types across multiple species. Separation can be carried out in cell culture medium or using ImmunoSolv's YES medium (yield enhancing separation medium) at a range of temperatures from 0-37°C (click here for technical details of separation procedure). A GMP-compliant Dead-Cert® Nanoparticles system is currently under development.
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Watch a video of the technology in action
Dead-Cert® Nanoparticles have been developed for multiple applications with complete kits and trial packs available.