2011 Fluorescent Cell Marker

A new technology developed by researchers of the University. The patented method protects the synthesis of a group of fluorescent cell markers and their use to visualize live cells, since these compounds are highly permeable, easy to use, stable and non-toxic.

Marcador celular fluorescente

The patent, that claims a family of markers C2-BDP, is available for transfer and exploitation to companies with expertise in reagents or companies in the biotechnological sector.

The market of this technology encompasses the R+D+i analysis laboratories in the pharmaceutical and health sector, and other actors that work in the area of molecular biology.

Description

The capacity to distinguish and identify subcellular compartments is fundamental in order to have a greater knowledge of the structure and function of the different cellular organelles, his biogenesis and the maintenance of the cells, as well as to define the different roads of transport of proteins, lipids and other compounds into the cellular interior.

The patented method protects the synthesis of a group of fluorescent cell markers and their use to visualize live cells, since these compounds are highly permeable.

Main advantages

The patent describes the preparation and use of C2-BDP fluorescent marker that has characteristics that provide the following advantages over other markers marketed:

  • High permeability and stability: the marker enters rapidly within cells and is stable. It can thus be detected during short times (15min) until several hours, even days.

  • Very low toxicity: the treatment with the fluorescent marker does not alter the cell viability and/or growth.

  • Easy to use: the marker penetrates within living cells in culture by direct incubation in the cell media.

  • Wide chromatic range: the molecule can be conjugated to several other fluorophores to generate a portfolio of cellular markers of different colours

Applications

  • Cell number quantification using a fluorescent-based plate reader.
  • To normalize (relative to total cell number) the results of diverse cell-based assays using multi-mode plate readers (e.g. enzymatic assays, luciferase assays, Elisa assays).
  • To quantify cell number in adhesion and migration assays.
  • To identify and analyze specific sub-populations of cells in co-culture experiments (e.g. labelling lymphocytes in transendothelial migration assays across endothelial monolayers).
  • To identify and analyze specific sub-populations of cells in in vivo experiments (e.g. analyzing labelled cells in intravital microscopy experiments, analysis of labelled injected cancer cells in animals, etc.).

Actual state

The researchers have developed a new method for the synthesis of C2-BDP. This method could be conducted by usual means available in  any company dedicated to organic synthesis

Furthermore, the marker C2-BDP was successfully tested and has demonstrated exceptional results en easiness of use in vivo

In collaboration with:

Logotipus del Ministeri de Ciència, Innovació i Universitats