Kodecyte



A kodecyte is a living cell that has been surface modified with KODE Technology to gain a new or novel biological, chemical or technological function. The cell is modified by the anchoring of chemical constructs into the cell membrane.

Features
All kodecytes retain their normal vitality and functionality while gaining the new function of the inserted constructs.

The combination of dispersibility in biocompatible media, spontaneous incorporation into cell membranes, and apparent low toxicity, makes KODE FSL constructs a valuable research tool for the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Applications
KODE technology has been used for the in vitro modification of murine embryos, spermatozoa, zebra fish, epithelial/endometrial cells and red blood cells    to create cellular quality controls systems , rare antigen expression, modified cell adhesion/interaction/separation/immobilisation, and labelling. It has also been intravascularly infused for in vivo modification of blood cells and neutralisation of circulating antibody. Additionally KODE FSL constructs have been shown to inhibit toxins and HIV viral infection

Inkjet technology
Researchers are now using KODE™ technology to manufacture prototype diagnostic assay kits using standard desktop ink jet printers, by simply replacing the ink in a spent cartridge with a solution of KODE™ technology. The KODE™ technology can then be printed onto a substrate in much the same way that one might print a letter or drawing on a sheet of paper. Ink jet printing KODE™ technology provides a cost effective alternative to existing methods of manufacturing diagnostic test kits, including microarrays, which for the most part use robotics.

The technology
KODE FSL constructs consist of three components ; a functional moiety (F), a spacer (S) and a lipid (L). The spacer is selected to provide a construct that is dispersible in water, yet will spontaneously and stably incorporate into a membrane.

Function moieties include saccharides (including ABO blood group-related determinants   , sialic acids, hyaluronin polysaccharides), fluorophores  , biotin  , and a range of peptides.