Abstract: An apparatus (100) for processing a biological sample (101). The biological sample being arranged on a first planar surface (102) of a carrier (103). The apparatus comprises a second planar surface (104) arranged substantially parallel to said first planar surface and at a first distance from said first planar surface, said first planar surface and said second planar surface are arranged at an angle (A) greater than zero degree from the horizontal plane (HP); supply means (126, 131, 220) for supplying an amount (105) of a liquid that is to be applied to said biological sample. The first planar surface and second planar surface are configured to be arranged at a second distance from each other, said second distance being such that said supplied amount of liquid is distributed over said biological sample when said first planar surface and said second planar surface are brought to said second distance from each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for construction of pharmamers i.e. vaccine components characterized by their multimerization domain and the attached biologically active molecules, and their use in preparation of vaccines that contains the pharmamers alone or in combination with other molecules. The individual molecules of the construct can be bound to each other or the multimerization domain(s) by covalent or non-covalent bonds, directly or via linkers. The invention further relates to the use of such preparations in vaccine settings aimed to function as preventive/prophylactic or therapeutic vaccines in humans and animals.

Abstract: Novel compounds carrying ligands capable of binding to counter receptors on relevant target cells are disclosed. The compounds possess a number of advantageous features, rendering them very suitable for a wide range of applications, including use as detection systems, detection of relevant target cells as well as a number of other methods. In particular, novel MHC complexes comprising one or more MHC molecules are disclosed. The affinity and specificity of the MHC-peptide complexes are surprisingly high. The possibility of presenting to the target cells a plurality of MHC-peptide complexes makes the MHC complexes according to the present invention an extremely powerful tool e.g. in the field of therapy and diagnosis. The invention generally relates to the field of therapy, including therapeutic methods and therapeutic compositions. Also comprised by the present invention is the sample-mounted use of MHC complexes and MHC multimers.

Abstract: The present application provides a two phase immiscible system for the pretreatment of embedded biological samples comprising placing at least one support having an embedded biological sample on its surface into a pretreatment container, adding to the pretreatment container at least one reagent forming a layer, adding a carrier composition to the pretreatment container, such that reagent forming layer is formed on the top of the carrier composition, and in an amount such that the at least one reagent forming layer contacts at least a portion of the embedded biological sample. Pretreatment of the embedded biological samples can include removal of embedding medium from embedded biological, target retrieval and enzyme blocking samples before staining histochemical analysis or other processes. The system also includes an apparatus and processes of automation of the pretreatment methods.

Abstract: A microwave heater and a method of heating are provided. The microwave heater includes a non-modal interplate microwave applicator and may include a nonresonant enclosure. The non-modal interplate microwave applicator is configured to receive therein a load to be heated by microwaves radiated from the non-modal interplate microwave applicator.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for separately denaturing a probe and target in hybridization applications. The invention may, for example, eliminate the use of or reduce the dependence on formamide in hybridization applications. Compositions for use in the invention include an aqueous composition comprising at least one polar aprotic solvent in an amount effective to denature double-stranded nucleotide sequences.

Abstract: The present invention lies in the field of visualization and quantification of immobilized targets in samples using immunochemical means. The methods of the invention utilize an immunostaining system allowing visualizing single target units in samples as distinct dots. In particular, the invention relates to methods and reagents for visualization and quantification of molecular targets immunostained in histological samples and use of said method and reagents in medical diagnostic. However, the visualization and quantification methods of the invention are applicable to a variety of targets in different samples and allow precise quantifying both relative and absolute amounts thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of biological labeling that occurs via a free radical chain reaction. The labeling occurs due to deposition of a detectable reporter molecule from a media comprising a substance comprising at least two moieties of a peroxidase enzyme substrate (termed herein ‘cross-linker’) in a target site comprising peroxidase activity and a biological marker. The labeling reaction described herein may generally be used to detect targets in a host of experimental schemes for detecting and visualizing a biological or chemical target, including immunohistochemistry (IHC), in situ hybridization (ISH), antibody-based staining methods such as ELISA, Southern, Northern, and Western blotting, and others.

Abstract: A sample processing system that may be automated and methods are disclosed where samples are arranged on a carrier element and a process operation control system automatically processes the samples perhaps robotically with an operationally-influential exteriorly-consequential information monitor or a data capture element. Significant process details as well as operationally-influential exteriorly-consequential information may be monitored and an automatic notice element may cause notification of a person at some display that may be remote. Various people may be notified, such as an administrator, a supplier, or a manufacturer of an opportunity for some action such as reagent reordering or the like. A simulated motion display may be included to “watch” simulated operation in real time or long after completion of the actual processing.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for the detection of targets in a sample; in particular, an in situ hybridization (ISH) sample. Probes and detectable labels may be provided in multiple layers in order to increase the flexibility of a detection system, and to allow for amplification to enhance the signal from a target. The layers may be created by incorporating probes and detectable labels into larger molecular units that interact through nucleic acids base-pairing, including peptide-nucleic acid (PNA) base-pairing. Optional non-natural bases allow for degenerate base pairing schemes. The compositions and methods are also compatible with immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunocytochemistry (ICC), flow cytometry, enzyme immuno-assays (EIA), enzyme linked immuno-assays (ELISA), blotting methods (e.g. Western, Southern, and Northern), labeling inside electrophoresis systems or on surfaces or arrays, and precipitation, among other general detection assay formats.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for processing a biological sample (101). The biological sample being arranged on a first planar surface (102) of a carrier (103). The apparatus comprises a second planar surface (104) arranged substantially parallel to said first planar surface and at a first distance from said first planar surface, said first planar surface and said second planar surface are arranged at an angle (A) greater than zero degree from the horizontal plane (HP); supply means (126, 131, 220) for supplying an amount (105) of a liquid that is to be applied to said biological sample. The first planar surface and second planar surface are configured to be arranged in a second distance from each other, said second distance being such that said supplied amount of liquid is distributed over said biological sample when said first planar surface and said second planar surface are brought to said second distance from each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soluble negative control MHC multimer comprising a nonsense peptide that binds the MHC protein efficiently, but that does not support binding of the resultant MHC-peptide complex to the desired T Cell Receptor. The nonsense peptide is designed to i) have a length enabling binding to the MHC allele in question, ii) have appropriate amino acids at relevant anchor positions which anchor the nonsense peptide to the peptide-binding groove of the MHC, iii) have amino acids outside the anchor positions that do not support binding to a T Cell Receptor, and iv) have an amino acid sequence that is different from the linear sequence of any naturally occurring peptide.

Abstract: A method and an automated apparatus for processing at least one biological sample arranged on a slide. At least one capillary staining module has a slide rack holder configured to detachably hold a slide rack configured to hold slides, and a capillary lid rack holder configured to detachably hold a capillary lid rack configured to hold capillary lids, wherein the slide rack can be removed independently of removing the capillary lid rack. A first fluid container has a first fluid. The apparatus being configured to automatically rotate the one or more slides, and to move the lids towards the slides to automatically form a capillary gap between each slide and each capillary lid, said capillary gap functioning as a capillary chamber; and to supply an amount of the first fluid to the slide.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for analyzing images of specimens processed by a programmable quantitative assay or more specifically a robust programmable quantitative dot assay, PDQA, that enable specimens to be imaged and assessed across a wide variety of conditions and applications. Specific embodiments directed to immunohistochemical applications provide more quantitative methods of imaging and assessing biological samples including tissue samples.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compounds for enzyme-mediated amplification of target-associated signals for visualization of biological or chemical targets in samples, wherein the targets are immobilized, in particular the invention relates to the oxidoreductase-mediated signal amplification for visualization of targets in samples comprising cells. The methods of the invention are particular useful for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of biological markers relating to medical diagnostic and therapy.

Abstract: This invention is directed to methods, kits, non-nucleotide probes as well as other compositions pertaining to the suppression of binding of detectable nucleic acid probes to undesired nucleotide sequences of genomic nucleic acid in assays designed to determine target genomic nucleic acid.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for differentiating between normal or reactive cells and malignant cells in biological samples comprising: exposing the biological sample to an antibody to L523S protein and detecting the presence of the antibody bound to L523S protein within the malignant cells, in embodiments, such methods may further comprise: exposing the biological sample to an antibody to a second protein that is a marker of cell lineage and detecting the presence of the antibody to the second protein within cells corresponding to a particular cell lineage and/or may comprise: exposing the biological sample to an antibody to a third protein which is a marker of cells that are normal or reactive and detecting the presence of the antibody to the third protein within cells that are normal or reactive.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for analyzing digital pathology images are provided. The methods and apparatuses may provide estimates of staining intensity and proportion score in regions of interest within an image. Digital pathology images may be scored according to these metrics. The methods and apparatuses disclosed herein utilize various predetermined thresholds, parameters, and models to increase efficiency and permit accurate estimation of characteristics of a stained tissue sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least three primary antibodies or fragments thereof, wherein the at least three antibodies or fragments thereof binds specifically to at least three different proteins, and wherein the at least three different proteins are AMCAR, CK 5/6, and HMWC. Methods for using the composition in diagnosis, prognosis, and assessing efficacy of treatment is further included as well as kits comprising said composition, and optionally, instructions of its use.

Abstract: A sample processing system 101 that may be automated and methods are disclosed where a number of sample processing systems 101, such as stainer, may be connected to a number of separate full function computers 181 through a stainer network 183 that may be isolated from other communication traffic. A network configuration may permit scalability and addressability so that additional sample processing systems 101, additional separate full function computers 181, and additional other devices such as label printers 200 may be easily added to the system. One or more remote information links 171 may be provided so that information transfer on a continuous or perhaps constant basis can be accommodated.