3-D Imaging and Mass Spectrometry of Mammalian Cells
Background:
The National Cancer Institute's
Cell Biology Laboratory is seeking statements of capability or
interest from parties interested in collaborative research and/or
partnership agreements to further develop and commercialize tools
for three-dimensional mapping of cells and tissues at nanometer
resolution for applications in cytology, oncology, cell biology and
other fields that require in-depth understanding of cellular
mechanisms.
Understanding the hierarchical organization of molecules,
multi-protein assemblies, organelles and networks within the
interior of a eukaryotic cell is a challenge of fundamental
interest in biology. There is a genuine need for tools that can
rapidly provide high resolution 3-D images of the interior of
eukaryotic cells combined with proteomic information. One such
technology is Ion Abrasion Scanning Electron Microscopy (IA-SEM).
IA-SEM combines the imaging power of scanning electron microscopes
with the capability of focused ion beams to abrade the surface of
bulk specimens in a controlled manner.
Technology:
Available for licensing and
commercial development is a new automated approach to cellular
imaging that combines methods for 3D visualization of cellular
organelles and protein expression at nanometer (nm) resolution
using Ion Abrasion Scanning Electron Microscopy (IA-SEM) with novel
approaches for determining spatial distribution of ion, metabolite
and protein composition. A variety of strategies are under
development to explore 3D distribution of cellular components with
the goal of establishing rapid diagnostic methods for determining
protein, metabolite and drug localization in the sub-cellular
space. This information is vital in the identification of drug
targets as well in the drug discovery process.
Value Proposition:
- Ability to rapidly create three-dimensional cellular images
.
- Ability to map cells and tissues at nanometer resolution.
Further R&D
Needed:
Development of commercially-viable
three-dimensional protein mapping
R&D Status:
Pilot experiments are ongoing for the development and optimization
of the technology using commercially available components. Clinical
applications for the diagnosis of tissue specimens are also being
explored.
IP Status:
U.S. Provisional Applications 60/970,070 and 60/974,686 filed Sept.
2007.
Publications:
- Heymann, J., Hayles, M., Gestmann, I., Giannuzzi, L., Lich, L.,
and Subramaniam, S. (2006) Site-specific 3D Imaging of Cells and
Tissues With a Dual Beam Microscope J. Struct. Biol. 155,
63-73.
- J Heymann et al. 3D imaging of melanoma cells using automated
"ion abrasion scanning electron microscopy". Microsc Microanal.
2007 Aug;13(Suppl 2):360-361.
Contact
Information:
John D. Hewes, Ph.D., NCI
Technology Transfer Center
Phone: 301-435-3121
E-mail: Hewesj@mail.nih.gov
Reference: #613 KH
Updated 03/27/2008
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