Abstract: The present invention provides the use of the cell surface antigen CD51 as a negative selection marker for neuronal cells and a method for enrichment, isolation and/or detection of neuronal cells comprising the steps a) contacting a sample containing neuronal cells with an antigen-binding fragment specific for the CD51 antigen coupled to a solid phase, thereby labeling the CD51 positive cells of said sample and b) isolating the non-labeled cells of said sample.

Abstract: A centrifuge chamber for separating a sample into at least two components, including a cylinder having a base plate and a cover plate, and a rotational axis assembly having at least one port for input and/or output of the sample, the port being connected to a tube located on or in the base plate and/or cover plate, and the tube having one or more openings into the centrifuge chamber, where at least one opening of the tube is provided with at least one flat-shaped deflector having a surface lying substantially parallel with the cylinder, and a width at its base of at most 1/10 of the inner circumference of the cylinder.

Abstract: A cell strainer for separating particles from a cell suspension, having an upper portion with at least one filter area lying essentially perpendicular to the direction of flow of the suspension and a lower portion adapted to fit into the openings of at least two sample tubes with different sized openings. The lower portion has a first section with shoulders or flanges having the diameter of the opening of a first tube and a second section having an inner and outer wall serving as a receptacle for the neck of a second tube, where the diameter of the first section is larger than the diameter of the second section.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for the treatment of cancer. In particular, the present invention identifies and characterizes the FANCI polypeptide as a vital component of the Fanconi anemia pathway and discloses inhibitors of FANCI and methods of using same. Such inhibitors are useful in inhibiting DNA damage repair and can be useful, for example, in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: A heating device for single cylindrical laboratory vessels (e.g., laboratory test tubes), the heating device including a clamp-like element using a force-fit to encompass at least a part of each cylindrical laboratory vessel, one or more electrical resistance heating circuits located at the interior of the clamp-like element, and grab handles to open and close the clamp-like element, thereby to insert or release the cylindrical laboratory vessel from the heating device.

Abstract: A method and associated device for enrichment of Neél-magnetic particles from a dispersion of Brown-magnetic particles and Neél-magnetic particles. The device and method use ferromagnetic separation particles having a mean diameter of 100 to 250 ?m located in a alternating magnetic field. The ferromagnetic separation particles have a magnetically and chemically inert coating.

Abstract: The application describes, inter alia, a method for isolating or enriching for dendritic cells from a mixture of human cells involving contacting cells in the mixture with an antibody that binds BDCA-4, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, under conditions in which the antibody or antigen-binding fragment binds BDCA-4+ dendritic cells, and separating dendritic cells bound by the antibody or antigen-binding fragment from other cells in the mixture.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of the 4-1BB receptor for identifying and/or separating specific regulatory Th cells after activation with an antigen, polyclonal regulatory Th cells after polyclonal activation and to a method for the identification and/or separation of regulatory Th cells, the regulatory T cells being detected on the basis of the expression of the 4-1BB receptor by an antibody, an antigen or ligands which are coupled to a fluorescent substance, haptenes or magnetic microparticles. The invention also relates to a kit comprising an antibody, an antigen or ligands for detecting the 4-1BB receptor for the identification and/or separation of a regulatory Th cell, the antibody being coupled to a fluorescent substance, haptenes or magnetic microparticles.

Abstract: An anchoring/capturing system for selecting or analyzing a CHO cell according to a product secreted by the CHO cell is described. The anchoring/capturing system comprises a first antibody or a first antigen-binding fragment for anchoring to the extracellular surface of the CHO cell, and a second antibody or a second antigen-binding fragment for binding the secreted product. Uses and methods involving the anchoring/capturing system are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying and separating non-regulatory T-cells (conventional T-cells) from a mixture comprising regulatory T-cells by using of the CD154 molecule (CD40 ligand) through depletion of CD154+ T-cells from the mixture or in combination with additional positive selection of Treg using markers that are specific for regulatory T-cells, such as for example, CD25, GITR, CTLA4 or markers which are specific for activated regulatory T-cells, such as, for example, CD137, “latent TGF-beta (LAP)”, GARP (LRRC32), CD121a/b, thereby generating a cell composition of activated Treg cells. The invention relates also to a kit comprising an antibody for detecting CD154 and at least one additional antibody for detecting markers for activated or non-activated regulatory T-cells. The antibodies can be coupled to a fluorescent dye or magnetic microparticles.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a device (1) for removal of biological material from an organism. The device (1) comprises: a removal means (2) for removing biological material from an organism with a redirection means (3) for selecting luminal connection of a removal means (2) with a) a penetration means (6) for penetrating into the organism, b) a reception means (4) for receiving the material from the organism, and c) a reservoir means (12) for storage of a substance. The direction means (3) is configured such that the removals means (2) can form a luminal connection with the reservoir means (12) and with the reception means (4), or with the penetration means (6).

Abstract: The invention relates to a cell containing a gene encoding a conditional transgenic surface marker that is detectable upon expression on the surface of the cell, wherein the gene encoding a conditional transgenic surface marker comprises: (i) a promoter, operably linked to (ii) a first transcription sequence, and (iii) a second transcription sequence encoding the surface marker, whereby the first transcription sequence prevents the transcription of the second transcription sequence, whereby the first transcription sequence is conditionally removable such that the second transcription sequence is transcribable, and whereby the surface marker renders the cell sortable through the detection of the conditional transgenic surface marker. Furthermore, the invention relates to a construct for generating such a cell, and to a method for separating such a cell from a population of cells.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter proposes an apparatus (42) and a method for transferring energy and/or a substance from a non-rotating means of an apparatus to a rotating device (43)—or vice versa—through the intermediary of a suitable means (1, 1?).

Abstract: What is suggested herein is the use of CD154 for the detection and/or isolation of antigen-specific T lymphocytes and a method for the detection and/or isolation of antigen-specific T lymphocytes, wherein the suspension is contacted with a CD40/CD154 system inhibitor, intra- or extracellular determination of CD154 is effected, and the cells having CD154 are detected and/or isolated.

Abstract: A receiving device for object holders comprises a base part. A plurality of centering elements are connected with the base part. The centering elements are arranged such that a plurality of receiving areas for receiving one object holder each are configured. The centering elements form a preferably circumferential centering frame around each receiving area.

Abstract: A device for carrying out chemical and/or biological reactions comprises a sample chamber (38) formed by a first portion (12) and a second portion (26) and designed for holding the sample. With the aid of a moving means (46,50) the sample can be moved in the sample chamber (38). The second portion (26) is connected via an intermediate element (27) with a heating and cooling-control element (29) for heating and cooling the sample. For ensuring good temperature conductivity and resistance to the sample of the second portion (26), in a preferred embodiment, the second portion (26) is made of ceramic.

Abstract: This invention provides novel methods of obtaining autologous monoclonal antibodies (AMABs) to self-antigens or homologs thereof. The method involves obtaining a genetically engineered host animal that does not biosynthesize at least one epitope of the antigen and utilizes the lack of self-tolerance of the host to the epitope to produce antibodies specific to the antigen. The invention also encompasses the AMABs produced by the methods. The invention further encompasses methods of isolating cells comprising the use of such AMABs that have specificity for a cell surface antigen.

Abstract: Cells can be labeled with products which they secrete and release in an efficient manner by coupling the cells at their surface to a specific binding partner for the product and allowing the product to be captured by the specific binding partner as it is secreted and released. The product-labeled cells can then be further coupled to suitable labels, if desired, and separated according to the presence, absence, or amount of product.

Abstract: This invention provides novel methods of obtaining autologous monoclonal antibodies (AMABs) to self-antigens or homologs thereof. The method involves obtaining a genetically engineered host animal that does not biosynthesize at least one epitope of the antigen and utilizes the lack of self-tolerance of the host to the epitope to produce antibodies specific to the antigen. The invention also encompasses the AMABs produced by the methods. The invention further encompasses methods of isolating cells comprising the use of such AMABs that have specificity for a cell surface antigen.

Abstract: The invention provides antigen-binding fragments specific for dendritic cells and effective in treatment and/or diagnosing a variety of disorders. Methods of use are also provided as are methods for screening for additional such antigen-binding fragments and the products obtained thereby.