Abstract: The invention is directed to an connector comprising a first part and a second part, each provided with a contact surface and at least one non-contact surface facing away from the contact surface, at least one opening in the contact surface having an fluid connection to at least one opening of the non-contact surface, a releasable covering of the opening in the contact surface, and complementary means for mechanically coupling the parts at the contact surfaces to form the connector. The complementary means for mechanically coupling the parts are configured to mechanically interlock with each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system, comprising: a) a sample processing unit, comprising an input port and an output port coupled to a rotating container having at least one sample chamber, the sample processing unit configured provide a first processing step to a sample or to rotate the container so as to apply a centrifugal force to a sample deposited in the chamber and separate at least a first component and a second component of the deposited sample; and b) a sample separation unit coupled to the output port of the sample processing unit, the cell separation unit comprising separation column holder (42), a pump (64) and a plurality of valves (1-11) configured to at least partially control fluid flow through a fluid circuitry and a separation column (40) positioned in the holder, the separation column configured to separate labeled and unlabeled components of sample flowed through the column.

Abstract: A cell modification device, comprising a centrifugation chamber with at least one cell modifying surface with a normal vector having an angle of 135-45° to the rotational axis of the centrifugation chamber, wherein the centrifugation chamber comprises at least one input/output port and the cells to be modified are immobilized at the cell modifying surfaces by the rotation of the centrifugation chamber at 2 to 2000 g. In an embodiment, the device is used as a point-of-care and/or portable device. Further, the present disclosure describes software that, when executed by a processor, causes the device to perform the disclosed functions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for detecting a target moiety in a sample of biological specimens by: a) providing at least one conjugate with the general formula (I) Xn—P—Ym, b) contacting the sample of biological specimens with at least one conjugate, thereby labeling the target moiety recognized by the antigen recognizing moiety Y with the conjugate c) exciting the labelled target moieties with light having a wavelength within the absorbance spectrum of fluorescent moiety X d) detecting the labelled target moieties by detecting the fluorescence radiation and e) degrading the fluorescent moiety X of the labelled target moieties by irradiating the conjugate with light having a wavelength within the absorbance spectrum of fluorescent moiety X Use of the method in fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometer, spectrofluorometry, cell separation, pathology or histology.

Abstract: The invention is directed to disposable cartridge for electroporation of cells, comprising a fluid compartment in an interior of the disposable cartridge; a first fluid port for providing cell suspension to the fluid compartment, and a second fluid port for delivering a fluid comprising at least one compound to be electroporated into the cells to the fluid compartment; a first electrode and a second electrode disposed in the fluid compartment; at least one exit port which delivers the fluid from the fluid compartment wherein the first and second fluid port have a fluid communication to a mixing channel which has a fluid communication to the fluid compartment, and a third ground electrode and a fourth ground electrode.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a Method for detecting a target moiety in a sample of biological specimens by: a) providing at least one conjugate with the general formula (I) An-P-Bm-Cq-Xo??(I) ?with A: antigen recognizing moiety; P: enzymatically degradable spacer; B: first binding moiety C second binding moiety X: detection moiety; n, m, q, o integers between 1 and 100, wherein B and C are non-covalently bound to each other and A and B are covalently bound to P b) labelling the target moiety recognized by the antigen recognizing moiety A with at least one conjugate c) detecting the labelled target moiety via detecting moiety X d) cleaving Cq-Xo by disrupting the non-covalent bond between Bm and Cq from the labelled target moiety e) cleaving the binding moiety Bm from the labelled target moiety by enzymatically degrading spacer P. The method is useful to identify target moieties on the biological specimens.

Abstract: The invention provides humanized antibody and other antigen-binding fragments that are specific for the newly identified dendritic cell marker BDCA-2. These agents may be used for treatment of conditions caused or mediated by dendritic cells, including but not limited to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The invention includes pharmaceutical compositions that contain a means for specifically binding BDCA-2, methods of preparing therapeutic products, and their use in therapy. Methods are also provided for screening, manufacture, and use of specific antibodies that identify other dendritic cell markers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system, comprising: a) a sample processing unit, comprising an input port and an output port coupled to a rotating container having at least one sample chamber, the sample processing unit configured provide a first processing step to a sample or to rotate the container so as to apply a centrifugal force to a sample deposited in the chamber and separate at least a first component and a second component of the deposited sample; and b) a sample separation unit coupled to the output port of the sample processing unit, the cell separation unit comprising separation column holder (42), a pump (64) and a plurality of valves (1-11) configured to at least partially control fluid flow through a fluid circuitry and a separation column (40) positioned in the holder, the separation column configured to separate labeled and unlabeled components of sample flowed through the column.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides comprising a mutant human IgG4, which mutant human IgG4 is capable of increasing the binding to and activation of immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM)-containing Fc?RIIb/c (CD32b), but not Fc?RIIa (CD32a). More specifically, the invention relates to polypeptides comprising at least one human IgG4 with a lysine at position 409 (409K), using the EU index according to Kabat et al., which IgG4 is capable of binding to human CD32b/c with a statistically significant (p=0.05) higher binding affinity than a wild-type human IgG1 and than a wild-type human IgG4, for use in the prevention and/or treatment of an autoimmune disease or allergy, as further defined in the claims.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method polyclonal stimulation of T cells, the method comprising contacting a population of T cells with a nanomatrix, the nanomatrix comprising a) a flexible matrix, wherein said matrix is of polymeric material; and b) attached to said polymeric flexible matrix one or more polyclonal stimulatory agents which provide activation signals to the T cells; thereby activating and inducing the T cells to proliferate; wherein the nanomatrix is 1 to 500 nm in size. At least one first and one second stimulatory agents are attached to the same or to separate flexible matrices. If the stimulatory agents are attached to separate beads, fine-tuning of nanomatrices for the stimulation of the T cells is possible.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to ligand like a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), comprising an antigen binding domain specific for one or more antigens selected from the group consisting of CLA, CD142, CD73, CD49c, CD66c, CD104, CD318 and TSPAN8; cell populations expressing such CARs and the use of the cell populations for cancer therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides FGF-2 polypeptides that differ from the wild-type FGF-2 (SEQ ID NO:1) at least at amino acid position 56, 102 and 119, wherein the differences are Q56I, N102G, K119N substitutions, leading to FGF-2 polypeptides with higher thermostability, higher biological activity and higher resistance to proteolytic degradation. These polypeptides can be used in cell culture media.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for detecting a target moiety in a sample of biological specimens by: a) providing at least one conjugate with the general formula (I) Xn—P—Ym, b) contacting the sample of biological specimens with at least one conjugate, thereby labeling the target moiety recognized by the antigen recognizing moiety Y with the conjugate c) exciting the labelled target moieties with light having a wavelength within the absorbance spectrum of fluorescent moiety X d) detecting the labelled target moieties by detecting the fluorescence radiation and e) degrading the fluorescent moiety X of the labelled target moieties by irradiating the conjugate with light having a wavelength within the absorbance spectrum of fluorescent moiety X Use of the method in fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometer, spectrofluorometry, cell separation, pathology or histology

Abstract: The invention is directed to a Perfusion device for biological tissues comprising a casing having two parts, a first part (1) and a second part (9), a holder (7) for a plurality of hollow penetration structures (8), wherein the hollow penetration structures (8) are provided with at least one orifice having fluid communication through the holder (7) a support (5) for the biological tissue (6) characterized in that the support (5) for the biological tissue (6) is positioned in the casing at a distance to the holder (7) that by joining the first part (1) and the second part (9) to form the casing, the hollow penetration structures (8) are in proximity to the holder (7). Use of the perfusion device in a process for disaggregation of a biological tissue to yield target cells.

Abstract: A multilevel, disposable cartridge may have a plurality of fluid wells or reservoirs holding a plurality of reagents, and a sample viewing area to view a biological sample. The reagents may be applied sequentially to the sample by opening a specific valve formed in an elastomeric, flexible layer under the fluid well. The fluid channels may be formed in a first rigid plastic layer to conduct the reagent to the sample. Pneumatic channels for applying suction or pressure to the valves may be formed in a second rigid, plastic layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) comprising an antigen binding domain specific for SSEA4, a population of engineered cells expressing said CARs, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising said genetically modified cells expressing said CARs. The pharmaceutical composition may be for use of the treatment of cancer in a subject suffering from cancer, wherein at least a subpopulation of the cancerous cells of said cancer expresses SSEA4.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cell modification device, comprising a centrifugation chamber with at least one cell modifying surface with a normal vector having an angle of 135?45° to the rotational axis of the centrifugation chamber, wherein the centrifugation chamber comprises at least one input/output port and the cells to be modified are immobilized at the cell modifying surfaces by the rotation of the centrifugation chamber at 2 to 2000 g.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an connector comprising a first part and a second part, each provided with a contact surface and at least one non-contact surface facing away from the contact surface, at least one opening in the contact surface having an fluid connection to at least one opening of the non-contact surface, a releasable covering of the opening in the contact surface, and complementary means for mechanically coupling the parts at the contact surfaces to form the connector. The complementary means for mechanically coupling the parts are configured to mechanically interlock with each other.

Abstract: The invention provides a system that comprises pharmaceutical agents for use in immunotherapy for reducing the side-effects of an antigen-recognizing receptor against antigen-expressing non-target cells in an individual. The system includes an antigen-recognizing receptor that specifically recognizes an antigen on target cells and at least on one hematopoietic cell type in the individual. The antigen-recognizing receptor is exemplified by chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) be expressed on the surface of an immune effector cells. The system also includes hematopoietic cells resistant to recognition of the same antigen by the antigen-recognizing receptor.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a releasable conjugate comprising a biotinylated ligand having a biotin moiety, a ligand moiety (Ligand1) and a biotin-binding molecule (bbm) bound to the biotin moiety of the biotinylated ligand. The ligand moiety of the biotinylated ligand may be separated by a spacer group consisting of polyethylene glycol. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for cleaving the releasable conjugate by providing biotin or streptavidin and an auxiliary release agent in a sufficient concentration to displace the biotin-binding molecule (bbm) from the biotin moiety of the biotinylated ligand and a method for separation of target cells from a cell sample utilizing the conjugate.