Polyacrolein microspheres as a new tool in cell biology

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Abstract
Polyacrolein (PA) microspheres in sizes ranging from 0·04 μm to 40 μm were synthesized. Magnetic and fluorescent PA microspheres were formed by carrying out the polymerization process in the presence of appropriate ferrofluidic or fluorochromic compounds, respectively. The microspheres carry reactive aldehyde groups, through which various ligands, containing primary amino groups, were covalently bound at physiological pH values. The potential use of these microspheres was demonstrated by the specific labelling of fresh human red blood cells (RBC) and by the separation of human RBC from turkey RBC by means of a magnetic field. PA microspheres were also bound covalently to the anti-allergic drug disodium chromoglycate (DSCG) and the conjugate was used for the labelling of rat basophilic leukaemia cells.