Abstract: Provided are a functionalized, encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystal comprising a liposome having encapsulated therein one or more fluorescent nanocrystals; use of the functionalized, encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystals in detection systems; and a method of producing functionalized, encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystals. A method of using the functionalized encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystals having affinity molecule bound thereto comprises contacting the functionalized encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystals with a sample so that complexes are formed between the functionalized encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystals and substrate for which the affinity molecule has binding specificity, if the substrate is present; exposing the complexes in the detection system to an excitation light source, and detecting a fluorescence peak emitted from the complexes, if present.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions of functionalized, fluorescent nanocrystals comprising fluorescent nanocrystals coated with an imidazole-containing compound; compositions of functionalized, fluorescent nanocrystals comprising fluorescent nanocrystals coated with an imidazole-containing compound and cross-linked with a phosphine cross-linking compound; compositions of functionalized fluorescent nanocrystals operably bound to molecular probe; a process of making functionalized, fluorescent nanocrystals; and a process of using functionalized, fluorescent nanocrystals in a detection system.

Abstract: Provided are vaccines, methods of making the vaccines and methods for administering the vaccines for immunotherapy of an individual bearing, or at risk for developing, solid nonlymphoid tumor. The vaccine comprises an immunotherapeutic composition and tumor-associated antigen, and may further comprise one or more of an immunomodulator or a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A method of immunotherapy of an individual comprises administering to the individual an amount of the vaccine effective to suppress a TH2 response, and to induce a TH1 response against solid nonlymphoid tumor, in an individual having a TH2/TH1 imbalance.

Abstract: A method for screening an individual for a pathological condition comprising a pro-tumor immune response by assaying a clinical sample, obtained from the individual, with a plurality of affinity ligands for detecting and determining an amount of mononuclear cell phenotype. The amount of mononuclear cell phenotype determined in the clinical sample is then compared to a reference value for the mononuclear cell phenotype, wherein a difference in the amount of mononuclear cell phenotype determined from the clinical sample as compared to the reference value comprises an indicator of the presence of a pro-tumor immune response.

Abstract: Methods are provided for reducing a pro-multiple sclerosis immune response by administering to an individual a composition comprising an affinity ligand which binds to B cell determinant, and which is administered in an amount effective to reduce B cells.

Abstract: A fluorescent ink composition comprising functionalized fluorescent nanocrystals, an aqueous-based ink carrier comprising water or a water-based solution, and a binder.

Abstract: Provided is a cell culture apparatus for culturing cells, and optionally, for performing magnetic separation of cells desired to be cultured. The cell culture apparatus preferably comprises a frame; at least one gas permeable membrane securedly sealed in a leak-proof sealing to a frame and an opposing surface comprising a rigid surface in forming a culture chamber therebetween; and at least one resealable aperture to allow substances to be introduced into, or withdrawn from, the culture chamber.

Abstract: Provided is a device comprising a plurality of microchambers having a closed vented environment, wherein each microchamber is in operative communication with a filling port and a vent aperture. The device further comprises a base which is sandwiched between two liquid-impermeable membranes, with at least one of the membranes being gas permeable. Also provided is a method for introducing a fluid into a plurality of microchambers of the device, wherein each filling port is aligned with a pipette tip, and the fluid is introduced into and through the filling port. The fluid then flows along a fluid flow groove providing fluid flow communication between the filling port and the microchamber, and into the microchamber.

Abstract: Provided are a functionalized, encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystal comprising a liposome having encapsulated therein one or more fluorescent nanocrystals; use of the functionalized, encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystals in detection systems; and a method of producing functionalized, encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystals. A method of using the functionalized encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystals having affinity molecule bound thereto comprises contacting the functionalized encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystals with a sample so that complexes are formed between the functionalized encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystals and substrate for which the affinity molecule has binding specificity, if the substrate is present; exposing the complexes in the detection system to an excitation light source, and detecting a fluorescence peak emitted from the complexes, if present.

Abstract: Provided are methods, and assay kits, and compositions useful for generating an indicator of a disease condition selected from the group consisting of multiple sclerosis (MS), a pro-MS immune response, and a combination thereof. A method for assaying a sample of an individual for an indicator of the disease condition comprises contacting the sample with a combination of two or more affinity ligands, at least one of which comprises a detection reagent; measuring an amount of the detection reagent which is bound to the sample in determining a value of a marker in the sample; wherein a difference in the value of the marker determined in the sample, when compared to the reference value, comprises an indicator of the presence of the disease condition.

Abstract: A magnetic sheet assembly for application to a device adapted for magnetic separation, the magnetic sheet assembly comprising: a magnetic sheet; a permanent, pressure sensitive adhesive; a carrier sheet; and a non-permanent pressure sensitive adhesive. Also provided is a method of mounting and removably adhering the magnetic sheet assembly to a surface of a device for magnetic separation, the method comprising the steps of aligning the magnetic sheet assembly with the surface of the device; and pressing the aligned magnetic sheet assembly in placing its non-permanent adhesive face into adhesive contact with the surface of the device.

Abstract: Provided are a fluorescent microsphere comprised of a plurality of fluorescent nanocrystals embedded in a polymeric microsphere; a kit prepared from the fluorescent microspheres; and a method of producing the fluorescent microspheres comprising swelling the polymeric microsphere so that into its pores can enter fluorescent nanocrystals, and then unswelling the polymeric micropsheres so that the fluorescent nanocrystals become physically entrapped in the pores of the unswelled polymeric microsphere. Also provided is a method of using the fluorescent microspheres comprising affinity ligand for determining the presence or absence of a predetermined number of analytes in a sample by contacting the sample with the fluorescent microspheres, and detecting the fluorescence signal pattern of excited fluorescent microspheres bound to one or more analytes of the predetermined number of analytes, if present in the sample.

Abstract: An automated cell management system which can be programmed to perform and control various operations of the essential phases of cell culturing, of cell culture manipulation, and of cell culture evaluation. The automated cell management system comprises a housing, a storage array for accommodating a plurality of cell culture devices, a loading station, a means for harvesting one or more components from a cell culture device, and one or more processing stations. The automated cell management system may further comprise mechanism for tracking each cell culture device, a plurality of reservoirs, a centrifuge, a microprocessor, one or more evaluation stations, one or more means for sterilization, and a combination thereof.

Abstract: Provided are methods for inducing an immune response reactive with idiotypes on shed antigen-specific B cells in an individual by administering an immunologically effective amount of a vaccine formulation. Also provided are vaccine formulations comprising one or more peptides, wherein a peptide comprises an idiotype of an antibody that binds to an epitope of shed antigen; or one or more polynucleotides, wherein a polynucleotide encodes a peptide comprising an idiotype of an antibody that binds to an epitope of shed antigen.

Abstract: Methods and assay kits are provided for assaying for a measurable biological response inducible by activation of Fc&ggr;RI-expressing cells by immune complexes comprising shed antigen and anti-shed antigen antibody of an IgG subtype capable of binding Fc&ggr;RI. An assay kit comprises shed antigen, anti-shed antigen antibody of an IgG subtype capable of binding Fc&ggr;RI, and Fc&ggr;RI-expressing cells.

Abstract: A mailer for shipping cells contained in a cell culture device, wherein the mailer comprises a containment system that can absorb and contain within the mailer a fluid that may leak from the cell culture device. The containment system comprises a gas-permeable absorbent material adapted to surround the cell culture apparatus; and a liquid impermeable layer which seals the absorbent material so as to contain any fluid released within the mailer.

Abstract: A fluorescent ink composition comprising functionalized fluorescent nanocrystals, an aqueous-based ink carrier comprising water or a water-based solution, and a binder.

Abstract: Provided for heating cultured cells is a controlled heater device comprising a cell culture apparatus, a transparent heater in thermal contact with the cell culture apparatus, and may further comprise one or more of a transparent filter provided to prevent a predetermined spectral range of light from passing through the transparent filter, and a power source for controlling the amount of heat generated by the transparent heater of the controlled heater device.

Abstract: Provided is a cell culture apparatus for culturing cells, and optionally, for performing magnetic separation of cells desired to be cultured. The cell culture apparatus preferably comprises a frame; at least one gas permeable membrane securedly sealed in a leak-proof sealing to a frame and an opposing surface comprising a rigid surface in forming a culture chamber therebetween; and at least one resealable aperture to allow substances to be introduced into, or withdrawn from, the culture chamber.