Helena Kempski1, Nicola Austin, Amy Roe, Steve Chatters, Suwan N Jayasinghe. 1. Paediatric Malignancy Cytogenetics Unit and Molecular Haematology & Cancer Biology Unit, CBL Level 2, Institute of Child Health & Great Ormond Street Hospital, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We recently pioneered the ability to directly electrospray and electrospin living cells without compromising their viability. These protocols, now referred to as 'bio-electrosprays' and 'cell electrospinning', are rapidly emerging bio-techniques with a plethora of promising applications within the life sciences, in particular to regenerative and therapeutic medicine. Our studies to date, with both bio-electrosprays and cell electrospinning, have demonstrated that a large population of viable cells exist post-treatment, in comparison to controls over both short and long periods as assessed by flow cytometry. METHODS: Post-treated mammalian cells are investigated in comparison to controls (culture and needle controls) at a cytogenetic and physiological level. In particular, the study addresses chromosome integrity following these protocols to assess any protocol-inflicted aberrations. RESULTS: The procedures explored failed to inflict any process-driven gross chromosomal aberrations post-treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary investigations demonstrate no significant compromising affects on the cell's structure at a cytogenetic or physiological level, post-treatment. Thus, further establishing these protocols as unique direct cell-engineering approaches with a host of biological and medical applications, from the development of tissues to perhaps even organs in the future.
BACKGROUND: We recently pioneered the ability to directly electrospray and electrospin living cells without compromising their viability. These protocols, now referred to as 'bio-electrosprays' and 'cell electrospinning', are rapidly emerging bio-techniques with a plethora of promising applications within the life sciences, in particular to regenerative and therapeutic medicine. Our studies to date, with both bio-electrosprays and cell electrospinning, have demonstrated that a large population of viable cells exist post-treatment, in comparison to controls over both short and long periods as assessed by flow cytometry. METHODS: Post-treated mammalian cells are investigated in comparison to controls (culture and needle controls) at a cytogenetic and physiological level. In particular, the study addresses chromosome integrity following these protocols to assess any protocol-inflicted aberrations. RESULTS: The procedures explored failed to inflict any process-driven gross chromosomal aberrations post-treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary investigations demonstrate no significant compromising affects on the cell's structure at a cytogenetic or physiological level, post-treatment. Thus, further establishing these protocols as unique direct cell-engineering approaches with a host of biological and medical applications, from the development of tissues to perhaps even organs in the future.