Abstract: The apparatus comprises a lateral arrangement of a plurality of magnetic elements, wherein at least two, more than two or all magnetic elements are arranged adjacent to each other, a flow-through tube wherein the magnetic axes of the at least two magnetic elements of the arrangement are almost or fully parallel to each other and almost or fully perpendicular to the plane of the arrangement, wherein magnetic poles of neighbouring magnetic elements, which magnetic poles are arranged directly adjacent to each other parallel to the plane of the arrangement, have different polarities. The arrangement and the tube are movable relative to each other such that the arrangement and the tube can be approached to and/or detached from each other. When the tube is approached to the arrangement, it is at least partially arranged along at least two magnetic elements.

Abstract: In the present invention, a method for the qualitative genetic characterization and/or gene expression characterization of predetermined cells in a fluid sample containing such cells is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of tumor stem cells and tumor cells in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and uses of such methods. According to the present invention said method comprises a selecting step for selection or enrichment of said predetermined cells from the sample wherein the sample is contacted with the solid surface for preferential binding of said predetermined cells to the solid surface and then the sample is removed d from the solid surface in a washing step. The inventive method is characterized in that the sample contains a polyol at least during one of contacting the sample with the solid surface and the washing step and in a detection step detecting in said cells, preferentially selected or enriched by said selecting step, the presence or absence of expression of at least one marker associate with at least one the group comprising tumor stem cells and tumor cells in epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a solid phase method for isolating and/or enriching predetermined cells from a sample. Such methods are used e.g. to isolate and enrich predetermined cells like fetal cells from a sample of maternal peripheral blood, tumor cells from a sample of body fluid or stem cells from a fluid or fluidized sample of body tissue or body fluid. The solid phase isolation method of the present invention is used for isolating predetermined cells from a sample containing such predetermined cells by binding the predetermined cells to a solid surface. According to the invention the sample is contacted with the solid surface and then removed from the solid surface, wherein the sample or a washing buffer contains a polyol during or after contacting the sample with the solid surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of tumor stem cells and tumor cells in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and uses of such methods. According to the present invention said method comprises a selecting step for selection or enrichment of said predetermined cells from the sample wherein the sample is contacted with the solid surface for preferential binding of said predetermined cells to the solid surface and then the sample is removed from the solid surface in a washing step. The inventive method is characterized in that the sample contains a polyol at least during one of contacting the sample with the solid surface and the washing step and in a detection step detecting in said cells, preferentially selected or enriched by said selecting step, the presence or absence of expression of at least one marker associated with at least one of the group comprising tumor stem cells and tumor cells in epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a monoclonal antibody and corresponding hybridoma cells and antigens suitable for isolating fetal cells from maternal blood. The inventive monoclonal antibody reacts with a surface antigen present on fetal red blood cells including their nucleated precursor cells, but not with surface antigens on adult erythroid cell.