| CPC C12N 5/0018 (2013.01) [A61K 35/17 (2013.01); C12M 35/06 (2013.01); C12N 5/0636 (2013.01); C12N 2500/50 (2013.01); C12N 2501/51 (2013.01); C12N 2501/515 (2013.01)] | 27 Claims |

|
1. A method for separating a target cell from an aqueous mixture, the method comprising:
a) incubating an aqueous mixture comprising the target cell and a magnetic capture hydrogel particle, thereby producing a target cell-bound magnetic capture hydrogel particle, wherein the magnetic capture hydrogel particle comprises:
i) a hydrogel matrix comprising a magnetic material embedded and/or encapsulated therein, such that the magnetic capture hydrogel particle is capable of being attracted to or repelled by a magnetic field;
ii) disulfide crosslinks enabling the hydrogel matrix to dissolve upon addition of a reducing agent; and
iii) a ligand capable of binding the hydrogel matrix to the target cell;
b) applying a magnetic field to the incubated aqueous mixture to isolate the target cell-bound magnetic capture hydrogel particle from the aqueous mixture;
c) retrieving the isolated target cell-bound magnetic capture hydrogel particle; and
d) contacting the hydrogel matrix with a reducing agent, thereby dissolving the hydrogel matrix and releasing the target cell from the magnetic capture hydrogel particle.
|