We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
INTEGRA BIOSCIENCES AG

Download Mobile App




Method Developed for Enriching Trophoblast Population in Samples

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 02 Sep 2019
A recent paper described a technique to increase the proportion of placental trophoblast cells in cervical samples by 700%, which enables individual trophoblasts to be picked out for genetic testing.

Currently, diagnosis of genetic disorders in developing fetuses requires capture of trophoblasts through amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, both invasive procedures. More...
Extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) have the potential to provide the entire fetal genome for prenatal testing. Previous studies have demonstrated the presence of EVTs in the cervical canal and the ability to retrieve a small quantity of these cells by cervical sampling. However, these small quantities of trophoblasts are greatly outnumbered by the population of cervical cells in the sample, making isolation of the trophoblasts difficult.

Investigators at Brown University (Providence, RI, USA) took advantage of differences in morphology between trophoblasts and other cervical cells (trophoblasts are smaller, differ in shape, and have relatively large nuclei) to develop a method to enrich the trophoblast population in a cervical sample through differential settling of the cells in polystyrene wells.

Initially the investigators added small quantities of JEG-3 trophoblast cell line cells into clinical samples from standard Pap tests taken at five to 20 weeks of gestation to determine the optimal workflow. They observed that a four-minute incubation period in the capture wells led to a maximum in JEG-3 cell settling onto the plastic surface with the removal of more than 90% of the cervical cell population, leading to a 700% enrichment in JEG-3 cells.

The investigators then went on to conduct a proof-of-concept study on an imaging and picking platform to demonstrate the ability to pick single trophoblast cells for whole genome amplification. Results showed that the new technique was quick, inexpensive, minimized cell loss, and yielded retrieval of individual trophoblast cells.

"There is a large need for biomedical engineering techniques toward advancing prenatal and women's health," said first author Christina Bailey-Hytholt, a doctoral research student in biomedical engineering at Brown University. "Our work is a step toward more non-invasive prenatal testing options."

The trophoblast enrichment technique was described in the August 20, 2019, online edition of the journal Scientific Reports.

Related Links:
Brown University


Gold Member
Antipsychotic TDM Assays
Saladax Antipsychotic Assays
Verification Panels for Assay Development & QC
Seroconversion Panels
New
C-Reactive Protein Assay
OneStep C-Reactive Protein (CRP) RapiCard InstaTest
New
Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer
iUF118-GX
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The GlycoLocate platform uses multi-omics and advanced computational biology algorithms to diagnose early-stage cancers (Photo courtesy of AOA Dx)

AI-Powered Blood Test Accurately Detects Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer ranks as the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, largely due to late-stage diagnoses. Although over 90% of women exhibit symptoms in Stage I, only 20% are diagnosed in... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The cancer stem cell test can accurately choose more effective treatments (Photo courtesy of University of Cincinnati)

Stem Cell Test Predicts Treatment Outcome for Patients with Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer

Epithelial ovarian cancer frequently responds to chemotherapy initially, but eventually, the tumor develops resistance to the therapy, leading to regrowth. This resistance is partially due to the activation... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: AI-analyzed images from the FDM microscope show platelet clumps in motion (Photo courtesy of Hirose et al CC-BY-ND)

AI Microscope Spots Deadly Blood Clots Before They Strike

Platelets are small blood cells that act as emergency responders in the body, rushing to areas of injury to help stop bleeding by forming clots. However, sometimes platelets can overreact, leading to complications.... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The new algorithms can help predict which patients have undiagnosed cancer (Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock)

Advanced Predictive Algorithms Identify Patients Having Undiagnosed Cancer

Two newly developed advanced predictive algorithms leverage a person’s health conditions and basic blood test results to accurately predict the likelihood of having an undiagnosed cancer, including ch... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.