CPC C12M 3/08 (2013.01) [C12M 45/02 (2013.01); F05D 2250/82 (2013.01); F05D 2270/03 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. A method to release one or more individual cells from a multi-cellular tissue specimen to permit analysis of the one or more individual cells independently, the method comprising:
placing the multi-cellular tissue specimen and a fluid in a chamber, the chamber comprising:
at least a first opening to provide fluid communication with the chamber and to receive the tissue specimen; and
an agitator in fluid contact with the fluid and the tissue specimen, the agitator comprising:
a micromotor which provides rotational motion to a shaft extending from an interior of the micromotor, and
an impeller fixed to the shaft such that the impeller and the shaft rotate together upon provision of the rotational motion by the micromotor,
wherein at least a portion of the micromotor is removably received in the first opening of the chamber and forms a sealing arrangement to seal the first opening in use;
applying electrical energy to the micromotor with an electrical energy source electrically coupled to the micromotor, the electrical energy sufficient to rotate the shaft and the impeller in a manner sufficient to disaggregate the one or more individual cells from the tissue specimen and in a manner which does not lyse the one or more individual cells;
removing the one or more individual cells from the chamber; and
performing nucleic acid sequencing of at least one of the disaggregated one or more individual cells.
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