Development of a label-free and non-destructive cell nuclear deformability assay toward understanding of non-genetic functions of cell nuclei

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21H01966
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 34020:Analytical chemistry-related
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Noritada Kaji 九州大学, 工学研究院, 教授 (90402479)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 細胞核 / 変形能 / マイクロ流路 / 単一細胞 / 単一細胞核

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The objective of this study was to develop an analytical methodology that enables high-throughput measurement of the deformability of whole cells and cell nuclei at the single cell level and in the living state of cells. Finally, we were able to establish an analytical platform that allows the measurement of deformability not only of cells but also of cell nuclei, and to discover the effects of chemical surface interactions as well as physical and mechanical parameters of deformability, which was the initial goal of this study. Based on this knowledge, we have succeeded in realizing a new single-cell immunoassay. This non-destructive and label-free cell analysis method is expected to contribute not only to a new cell biology methodology, but also to clinical practice, especially in regenerative medicine, where it can be used as a cell diagnostic method before cell transplantation.

Free Research Field

分析化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、細胞膜・細胞質に覆われた細胞核の変形能の計測を非破壊で行うことを目的にしているが、世界に類を見ない「計測」と「電気的摂動」を同時に行うことができる非常に独自性の高い手法を基盤にしているため、非常に独創的な細胞分析基盤が構築できた。また、ひとつひとつ細胞を計測する方法であるため、細胞組織を構成する個々の細胞のheterogeneityを明らかにすることもでき、学術的にも独自性の高い貴重な情報を得ることができる。また、細胞選別に利用することが可能であるため再生医療への応用が期待できることから、再生医療産業への貢献といった社会的意義も大きい。