Technology and Research

Technology

Biosurface Engineering using KODE™ Constructs

KODE™ Biosurface Engineering Technology allows the surface characteristics of living cells to be modified without loss of vitality.  Videos introducing the Technology and some of its applications can be viewed above, or on YouTube (enter the keyword “kodecyte”).

KODE™ Biosurface Engineering Technology comprises the use of water dispersible molecules (KODE™ FSL Constructs) to attach new functions to the surface of living cells.  The Technology can also be used to stick living cells to solid surfaces. 

KODE™ FSL constructs consist of three components: a functional head group (F), a spacer (S) and a lipid tail (L).  The molecules are analogous to naturally occurring cell membrane lipids.  However, the spacer of the KODE™ FSL construct is selected to provide a molecule that will incorporate into a membrane, yet is also dispersible in water.

KODE™ FSL constructs developed to date include molecules where the functional head groups are sugars or peptides (including blood group-related determinants), fluorophores (including fluorescein) and biotin.

Products utilising KODE™ Biosurface Engineering Technology are already in the marketplace and being used in medical laboratories throughout the world.  Other applications of the Technology in diagnostics and therapeutics are under development.

KODE™ Biosurface Engineering Technology has been used in vitro to modify embryos, spermatozoa, zebra fish, epithelial/endometrial cells, red blood cells and virions.  Modified cells ("kodecytes") have been infused intravascularly in to experimental animals without loss of vitality. The kodecytes retain their normal functionality while gaining the functionality introduced by the functional head group (F) of the KODE™ FSL construct.

More recently KODE™ FSL constructs have been investigated for use in inkjet printers.  The properties of the molecules have proven to be particularly advantageous in the fabrication of bioarrays using conventional inkjet technology.

In order to promote the R&D-use of KODE™ Biosurface Engineering Technology, a range of KODE™ FSL constructs have now been made available to researchers via the internet (kodebiotech.com/sales). Initially six products, including FSL-biotin, are available for purchase.  Researchers are encouraged to discuss and share information about the use of the Technology in a public forum at kodebiotech.com/forum

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

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