Magnetic Markers Linked to Monoclonal Antibodies Allow in vitro Evaluation of Cell Population Size

Biomagnetic instrumentation has been used for the detection of magnetic particles in the human body. Recently, macroscopic markers were used for specific physiological measurements, like monitoring bowel movements. At a molecular level, liver biosusceptometry allows the measurement of iron concentration in the liver of patients affected by diseases such as hemocromatosis and thalassemia. The motivation of the work to be described hereafter is the assessment of a method utilising biomagnetic instrumentation and microscopic markers, smaller than cellular size, to be directed at specific cell populations. These markers may be linked to target ceils via specific antibodies.