US 7,320,891 B2
Methods and kits for isolating sperm cells
Allan Tereba, Fitchburg, Wis. (US); Laura Flanagan, Madison, Wis. (US); Paraj Mandrekar, Oregon, Wis. (US); and Ryan Olson, Madison, Wis. (US)
Assigned to Promega Corporation, Madison, Wis. (US)
Filed on Sep. 10, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/939,105.
Prior Publication US 2006/0057715 A1, Mar. 16, 2006
Int. Cl. C12N 5/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 435—325  [435/2; 435/366] 19 Claims
 
1. A method of separating sperm cells from an aqueous sample comprising:
(a) contacting the aqueous sample with a non-aqueous liquid comprising at least one of diethyl glutarate, dimethyl glutarate, and 1-chloro-2-methyl-2-propanol and having a density greater than about 1.00 g/cm3, wherein the density of the non-aqueous liquid is sufficiently low to permit pelleting of at least a portion of the sperm cells in the sample;
(b) applying a force to the contacted sample for a period of time sufficient to form an aqueous layer, a non-aqueous layer, and a sperm pellet thus seperating sperm cells from an aqueous sample.