Elie G. Hanania

High-throughput laser-mediated In situ cell purification with high purity and yield

Technologies for purification of living cells have significantly advanced basic and applied research in many settings. Nevertheless, certain challenges remain, including the robust and efficient purification (e.g., high purity, yield, and sterility) of adherent and/or fragile cells and small cell samples, efficient cell cloning, and safe purification of biohazardous cells. In addition, existing purification methods are generally open loop and exhibit an inverse relation between cell purity and yield.

Optoinjection for efficient targeted delivery of a broad range of compounds and macromolecules into diverse cell types.

Efficient delivery of compounds and macromolecules into living cells is essential in many fields including basic research, applied drug discovery, and clinical gene therapy. Unfortunately, current delivery methods, such as cationic lipids and electroporation, are limited by the types of macromolecules and cells that can be employed, poor efficiency, and/or cell toxicity. To address these issues, novel methods were developed based on laser-mediated delivery of macromolecules into cells through optoinjection. An automated high-throughput instrument, the laser-enabled analysis and processing (LEAP) system, was utilized to elucidate and optimize several parameters that influence optoinjection efficiency and toxicity. Techniques employing direct cell irradiation (i.e., targeted to specific cell coordinates) and grid-based irradiation (i.e., without locating individual cells) were both successfully developed. With both techniques, it was determined that multiple, sequential low radiant exposures produced more favorable results than a single high radiant exposure. Various substances were efficiently optoinjected--including ions, small molecules, dextrans, siRNAs (small interfering RNAs), plasmids, proteins, and semiconductor nanocrystals--into numerous cell types. Notably, cells refractory to traditional delivery methods were efficiently optoinjected with lower toxicity. We establish the broad utility of optoinjection, and furthermore, are the first to demonstrate its implementation in an automated, high-throughput manner.

Scanning Cytometry with a LEAP: Laser-Enabled Analysis and Processing of Live Cells In Situ

Scanning cytometry now has many of the features (and power) of multiparameter flow cytometry while keeping its own advantages as an imaging technology. Modern instruments combine capabilities of scanning cytometry with the ability to manipulate cells. A new technology, called LEAP™ (laser‐enabled analysis and processing), offers a unique combination of capabilities in cell purification and selective macromolecule delivery (optoinjection).

Clinical-scale laser-based scanning and processing of live cells: selective photothermal killing of fluorescent tumor targets for autologous stem cell transplantation

High-dose chemotherapy, followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation, is widely used for the treatment of cancer. However, contaminating tumor cells within HSC harvests continue to be of major concern since re-infused tumor cells have proven to contribute to disease relapse. Many tumor purging methods have been evaluated, but all leave detectable tumor cells in the transplant and result in significant loss of HSCs. These shortcomings cause engraftment delays and compromise the therapeutic value of purging. A novel approach integrating automated scanning cytometry, image analysis, and selective laser-induced killing of labeled cells within a cell mixture is described here. Non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL) cells were spiked into cell mixtures, and fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies were used to label tumor cells within the mixture. Cells were then allowed to settle on a surface, and as the surface was scanned with a fluorescence excitation source, a laser pulse was fired at every detected tumor cell using high-speed beam steering mirrors. Tumor cells were selectively killed with little effect on adjacent non-target cells, demonstrating the feasibility of this automated cell processing approach. This technology has many potential research and clinical applications, one example of which is tumor cell purging for autologous HSC transplantation.