Gel Microdrop Assay for Synchronized Cell Cloning

This research presents a novel method for recovering individual, high secreting cells from asynchronized population using Cell Regulatory Sialoprotein (CeReS), a natural, non-toxic, cell surfaceprotein which has been shown to reversibly synchronize cells, and then encapsulating individualsynchronized cells in gel microdrops (GMDs). Using a model system, we will demonstrate that cells maybe synchronized, encapsulated and assayed for clones with high secretion rates. GMD flow sorting willbe used to recover the high secreting cells for subsequent cloning. There is no method currentlyavailable for resolving secretion rates of individual cells at various points in the cell cycle, and thenisolating and recovering high secreting cells. This research will form the basis for developing a cellsynchronization method with broad implications for basic research, as well as for biopharmaceutical drugdiscovery, development, and manufacturing. During Phase Il, the company expects to develop a processwhich will be made available to biopharmaceutical research and manufacturing personnel on either alicense or fee for service basis and to assemble test kits comprised of a microdrop maker, CeReS andreagents which can be sold to researchers worldwide.