Abstract: The present invention provides materials and methods for predicting the response of a disease state to a therapeutic agent. A targeting moiety specific for a biological marker is labeled with a reporter moiety and used to analyze cells characteristic of the disease state. The output of the reporter moiety, which may be fluorescence intensity, is compared to the output of reference standard analyzed under similar or identical conditions. The use of a reference standard allows biomarker reporting to be normalized. Biomarker values can then be correlated from sample to sample and from laboratory to laboratory based on quantitative calibration on a universal reference standard.

Abstract: A device for concentrating cells of interest from a fluid sample comprises an array of electromagnets associated with an array of holders for containers of the fluid samples, said electromagnets controlled by a microprocessor to generate controllable magnetic fields. Magnetic beads having an affinity for certain of the cells in the fluid sample are added to the fluid sample. When the microprocessor applies electrical current to the electrical magnet(s), the cells linked with magnetic beads will be attracted to the tube wall. Liquid aspirated from the sample will contain comparatively few of the cells for which the magnetic beads have an affinity, thereby allowing concentration of cells of interest. Optionally, aspiration may be accomplished using a robotic pipette system.

Abstract: A conjugate of formula A-L-P, in which: