Abstract: Provided herein are methods of activating immune cells. The method includes providing a population of immune cells and contacting the population of immune cells with a first agent and a second agent. The first agent includes an immune cell activator attached to a first binder moiety, and the second agent includes at least one capture oligomer. The at least one capture oligomer is capable of associating with the first binder moiety. Also provided are kits for activating immune cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of activating immune cells. The method includes providing a population of immune cells and contacting the population of immune cells with a first agent and a second agent. The first agent includes an immune cell activator attached to a first binder moiety, and the second agent includes at least one capture oligomer. The at least one capture oligomer is capable of associating with the first binder moiety. Also provided are kits for activating immune cells.

Abstract: Provided are methods and kits for activating T cells, the method comprising providing a population of T cells, adding a plurality of first agents, where the first agent comprises a T-cell activator and a first binder moiety, and adding a second agent comprising a plurality of capture oligomers, where at least a segment of at least one of the plurality of capture oligomers is capable of associating with the first binder moiety. The method further comprises incubating the population of T cells, whereby at least a portion of the population of T cells is activated.

Abstract: A carrier for expansion of pluripotent stem cells is provided, wherein the carrier comprises a substrate comprising one or more outer surfaces, wherein the one or more outer surfaces are modified with gas plasma treatment, and one or more structured indentations on one or more of the outer surfaces. The carrier has a length at least about 0.2 mm, a width at least about 0.2 mm, and a height in a range from about 0.05 mm to 1.2 mm and each of the structured indentations has a major axis in a range from about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, a minor axis in a range from about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm and a depth in a range from about 0.025 mm to about 0.5 mm. A method of making the carrier, and culturing stromal cells using the same carrier are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel methods for expansion and passaging of cell aggregates comprising stem cells and/or differentiated cells and comprising the use of closed systems on rocking platform bioreactors. The methods of the invention permit closed system serial passage expansion of pluripotent stem cells and/or progeny thereof with associated pluripotency markers and differentiation potential.

Abstract: Provided are methods and kits for activating T cells, the method comprising providing a population of T cells, adding a plurality of first agents, where the first agent comprises a T-cell activator and a first binder moiety, and adding a second agent comprising a plurality of capture oligomers, where at least a segment of at least one of the plurality of capture oligomers is capable of associating with the first binder moiety. The method further comprises incubating the population of T cells, whereby at least a portion of the population of T cells is activated.

Abstract: A coupling device configured to form a sample access assembly is provided. The sample access assembly is configured to house a sample. The coupling device includes a heating component and a separating component. Further, the separating component is configured to separate portions of first and second containers that form first and second compartments of the sample access assembly. Moreover, the heating component is configured to heat at least a portion of the sample.

Abstract: A carrier for expansion of pluripotent stem cells is provided, wherein the carrier comprises a substrate comprising one or more outer surfaces, wherein the one or more outer surfaces are modified with gas plasma treatment, and one or more structured indentations on one or more of the outer surfaces. The carrier has a length at least about 0.2 mm, a width at least about 0.2 mm, and a height in a range from about 0.05 mm to 1.2 mm and each of the structured indentations has a major axis in a range from about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, a minor axis in a range from about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm and a depth in a range from about 0.025 mm to about 0.5 mm. A method of making the carrier, and culturing stromal cells using the same carrier are also provided.

Abstract: A carrier for expansion of induced pluripotent stem cells is provided, wherein the carrier comprises a substrate comprising one or more outer surfaces, wherein the one or more outer surfaces are modified with gas plasma treatment, and one or more structured indentations on one or more of the outer surfaces. The carrier has a length at least about 0.2 mm, a width at least about 0.2 mm, and a height in a range from about 0.05 mm to 1.2 mm and each of the structured indentations has a major axis in a range from about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, a minor axis in a range from about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm and a depth in a range from about 0.025 mm to about 0.5 mm. A method of making the carrier, and culturing induced pluripotent stem cells using the same carrier are also provided.

Abstract: A carrier for expansion of pluripotent stem cells is provided, wherein the carrier comprises a substrate comprising one or more outer surfaces, wherein the one or more outer surfaces are modified with gas plasma treatment, and one or more structured indentations on one or more of the outer surfaces. The carrier has a length at least about 0.2 mm, a width at least about 0.2 mm, and a height in a range from about 0.05 mm to 1.2 mm and each of the structured indentations has a major axis in a range from about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, a minor axis in a range from about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm and a depth in a range from about 0.025 mm to about 0.5 mm. A method of making the carrier, and culturing stromal cells using the same carrier are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel methods for expansion and passaging of cell aggregates comprising stem cells and/or differentiated cells and comprising the use of closed systems on rocking platform bioreactors. The methods of the invention permit closed system serial passage expansion of pluripotent stem cells and/or progeny thereof with associated pluripotency markers and differentiation potential.

Abstract: A coupling device configured to form a sample access assembly is provided. The sample access assembly is configured to house a sample. The coupling device includes a heating component and a separating component. Further, the separating component is configured to separate portions of first and second containers that form first and second compartments of the sample access assembly. Moreover, the heating component is configured to heat at least a portion of the sample.

Abstract: Methods and kits of releasing cells are provided. The method comprises the steps of providing cultured cells on a cell culture support comprising a multi layer polyelectrolyte coating immobilized on a substrate, and releasing the cultured cells from the cell culture support by a releasing solution comprising DMSO. The kit comprises a cell culture support and a releasing solution. The releasing solution comprises DMSO.

Abstract: A carrier for expansion of induced pluripotent stem cells is provided, wherein the carrier comprises a substrate comprising one or more outer surfaces, wherein the one or more outer surfaces are modified with gas plasma treatment, and one or more structured indentations on one or more of the outer surfaces. The carrier has a length at least about 0.2 mm, a width at least about 0.2 mm, and a height in a range from about 0.05 mm to 1.2 mm and each of the structured indentations has a major axis in a range from about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, a minor axis in a range from about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm and a depth in a range from about 0.025 mm to about 0.5 mm. A method of making the carrier, and culturing induced pluripotent stem cells using the same carrier are also provided.

Abstract: A method of delivering exogenous molecules, comprising: providing a plurality of cells having a cell membrane; adding a plurality of exogenous molecules to the cells; exposing the cells to a defocused infrared (IR) light to permeabilize the cell membrane of the cells; and delivering the exogenous molecules to the cells through the permeablized cell membrane, wherein an intensity of the IR light at the optical focus is at least greater than or equal to an order of 104 W/cm2.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system is provided herein, wherein the system allows for the analysis and selection of numerous experimental conditions to optimize transfection efficiency and cell viability. The system is used for magnetic particle based nucleic acid delivery by optimizing various parameters. The system comprises a control module; an incubation module for incubating magnetic nanoparticle and nucleic acid; a transfection module and an analysis module.

Abstract: Methods and kits for binding and releasing biological targets, comprising, a binder having an environmentally reactive molecular switch that can switch between a high affinity state, to bind the target, to a low affinity state, to release the target. In one embodiment, the binder is a pre-existing chemical sequence, composition, or structural configuration but unknown or unspecified and still viable as a binder for attaching a molecular switch.

Abstract: Methods and kits for binding and releasing biological targets, comprising, a binder comprising an environmentally reactive molecular switch that can switch between a high affinity state, to bind the target, to a low affinity state, to release the target.

Abstract: Methods and kits of releasing cells are provided. The method comprises the steps of providing cultured cells on a cell culture support comprising a multi layer polyelectrolyte coating immobilized on a substrate, and releasing the cultured cells from the cell culture support by a releasing solution comprising DMSO. The kit comprises a cell culture support and a releasing solution. The releasing solution comprises DMSO.

Abstract: A system for delivering exogenous molecules comprises a support for containing cells and exogenous molecules; an infra-red (IR) light source that generates an IR optical beam with an average power density at least greater than 105 W/cm2; one or more optical elements; an imaging system to image the cells in a field of view; a processor that generates a signal for localization of cells in the field of view; a light pattern shaper for temporal focusing of optical beam to generate wide field illumination on the cells to permeabilise the cell membrane for delivering the exogenous molecules; and a controller that switches optical beam from wide field illumination to a focused illumination. The processor is operatively coupled to the imaging system and the light pattern shaper and transmits the signal for the localization of cells to ensure the temporal focusing of the optical beam on the cells.