Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for assessing binding agent specificity, in particular antibody specificity. The present invention thus provides a method of analysing a mixture of polypeptides comprising the steps of: (i) separating the polypeptides in the mixture into a plurality of fractions; (ii) contacting a first aliquot of two or more of the fractions with a plurality of different binding agents attached to one or more solid supports and detecting the binding of the polypeptides to the binding agents in each fraction; (iii) assessing the amino acid composition of the polypeptides in a second aliquot of said fractions by mass spectrometry; and (iv) correlating the binding results detected in step (ii) and the mass spectrometry results from step (iii) to assess the specificity of the binding agents for a polypeptide of interest.

Abstract: There is disclosed a polypeptide consisting of between 7 and 100 amino acids and comprising: the sequence of the peptide of any one of SEQ. ID NOS: 1 to 145. There is also disclosed a T-cell receptor, or a peptide-binding fragment thereof, wherein the CDR3 region of the beta chain of the T-cell receptor comprises a glycine residue at position 5 from the N-terminus. The T-cell receptor is capable of binding a peptide consisting of the sequence of SEQ. ID NO. 18, when the peptide is presented on an HLA molecule of a first HLA allele.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a set of polymer particles stained with at least two fluorescent dyes, wherein at least 16 subsets of particles can be resolved on the basis of variable emission from the at least two fluorescent dyes wherein emission from at least one dye derives from a fluorescent dye covalently attached to the particle surface, and wherein all particles in said set of polymer particles can bind a uniform amount of a capture reagent. The invention also relates to a method for the preparation of said set of polymer particles as well as a kit comprising said set of polymer particles. The invention further relates to methods and uses of said set of polymer particles.

Abstract: A set of polymer particles stained with at least two fluorescent dyes is presented. At least 16 subsets of particles can be resolved on the basis of variable emission from the at least two fluorescent dyes where emission from at least one dye derives from a fluorescent dye covalently attached to the particle surface. All particles in the set of polymer particles can bind a uniform amount of a capture reagent. A method for the preparation of the set of polymer particles as well as a kit including the set of polymer particles is also presented as well as methods and uses of the set of polymer particles.

Abstract: A method of analysing the interaction between a mixture of molecular components and a group of binding agents includes the following steps. (i) Separating the molecular components in the mixture into a plurality of fractions on the basis of a physical parameter. (ii) Providing a plurality of different binding agents. (iii) Contacting the binding agents with at least two of the fractions and detecting the binding of the molecular components in each fraction to the binding agents. (iv) Detecting the presence of a plurality of the molecular components by the binding of the molecular components to the binding agents.

Abstract: A set of polymer particles stained with at least two fluorescent dyes is presented. At least 16 subsets of particles can be resolved on the basis of variable emission from the at least two fluorescent dyes where emission from at least one dye derives from a fluorescent dye covalently attached to the particle surface. All particles in the set of polymer particles can bind a uniform amount of a capture reagent. A method for the preparation of the set of polymer particles as well as a kit including the set of polymer particles is also presented as well as methods and uses of the set of polymer particles.

Abstract: The expression of various cell adhesion molecules and growth factor receptor was examined on human progenitor cells (i.e., CD34+/CD38+). Certain changes in the expression if one or more of these molecules and receptors correlates with the progression of cell from non-lineage committed to commitment to a specific lineage. Using one or more markers for these molecules and/or receptors in combination with markers for CD34 and CD38 will enable one to identify and isolate each of the different progenitor cell populations.

Abstract: Dendritic cells (DCs) are the primary antigen presenting cells during the initiation of T cell-dependent immune responses. The cells originate from the bone marrow and have been suggested to represent a distinct cell lineage. However, distinct DC precursors have not been identified in bone marrow, and mature monocytes can also give rise to DCs. The instant invention presents a distinct DC precursor among bone marrow CD34+ cells. The cells express high levels of the interleukin-3 receptor &agr; chain and CD4 and can be uniquely identified also in blood and lymphoid tissues by this phenotype.

Abstract: The present invention demonstrates that M-CSF responsiveness and the M-CSFR expression can be used to discriminate monocytic and granulocytic cells within a population of cells which strongly expresses the CD34 antigen (CD34.sup.hi). Briefly, the method comprises isolating phenotypically and functionally defined CD34.sup.+ subsets, and staining with anti-M-CSFR monoclonal antibodies to measure expression on these primitive progenitors and cells committed to the granulocytic and monocytic lineages, based upon expression of M-CSFR. CD34.sup.hi M-CSFR.sup.hi cells are highly clonogenic and approximately 70% of the colonies are CFU-M (monocytic), whereas less than 20% were CFU-G (granulocytic). In contrast, CD34.sup.hi cells that were positive for the granulo-monocytic marker CD64 and negative for the M-CSFR contained high frequencies of 91% pure CFU-Gs. After 60 h in culture, CD34.sup.hi M-CSFR.sup.hi cells developed into distinct populations of M-CSFR.sup.hi and M-CSFR.sup.lo cells.

Abstract: Dendritic cells (DCs) are the primary antigen presenting cells during the initiation of T cell-dependent immune responses. The cells originate from the bone marrow and have been suggested to represent a distinct cell lineage. However, distinct DC precursors have not been identified in bone marrow, and mature monocytes can also give rise to DCs. The instant invention presents a distinct DC precursor among bone marrow CD34+ cells. The cells express high levels of the interleukin-3 receptor a chain and CD4 and can be uniquely identified also in blood and lymphoid tissues by this phenotype.

Abstract: One or more population of cells enriched for human hematopoietic stem cells is disclosed. HSC in this population of cells are capable of limited self-renewal and are capable of differentiating into all elements of the hematopoietic system. This population of cells has the phenotype of CD34.sup.+ /CD38.sup.- and more preferably CD34.sup.+ /CD38.sup.- /HLA-DR.sup.+. Cells within this population have been found to express CD13, CD33 and CD71. Hematopoietic stem cells can be used in a number of therapies, including autologous transplantation and in gene therapy.