In vivo cellular tracking

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Methods of tracking cells in vivo and for determining in vivo cell lifetimes. Cells are labelled with cyanine dyes and detection is by measuring fluorescence, absorbance, or by detecting nuclear magnetic reasonance probes included in the cyanine dyes. Using the invented methods, for example, red blood cell and platelet lifetimes are determined. Also, cells are tracked to determine sites of primary or metastatic tumors or sites, of occult infection. Further rates at which cells pass, through vessels is used to determine blood vessel patency and platelet aggregation.