Abstract: A method and apparatus that serve as a control and calibrator for assays performed on cells and tissues mounted on a microscope slide is described. The apparatus comprises a quality control moiety, such as a peptide epitope, linked to a particulate object, such as a clear spherical bead and the bead is preferably approximately the size of a cell. The quality control moiety is designed to behave in a similar manner in the assay as an analyte, yielding a positive assay reaction an the bead is retained on a microscope slide during the steps of staining by a novel liquid matrix, which solidifies upon drying and causes adherence of the beads to the microscope slide.

Abstract: An antigen-dependent negative selection blood cell separation method is described. Rare circulating epithelial cells can be separated from blood by depleting erythrocytes from a blood sample. Erythrocytes are depleted by agglutination. The new method comprises the use of an agglutinating agent, such as an anti-glycophorin A or glycophorin B antibody, as glycophorin A or B are present on erythrocytes and not on the desired epithelial cells. With regular mixing, desired rare circulating epithelial cells do not become entrapped in the red cell agglutinate.

Abstract: An antigen-dependent negative selection blood cell separation method is described. Rare circulating epithelial cells can be separated from blood by depleting erythrocytes from a blood sample. Erythrocytes are depleted by agglutination. The new method comprises the use of an agglutinating agent, such as an anti-glycophorin A or glycophorin B antibody, as glycophorin A or B are present on erythrocytes and not on the desired epithelial cells. With regular mixing, desired rare circulating epithelial cells do not become entrapped in the red cell agglutinate.

Abstract: The invention describes quality control devices for assays that measure analytes in cells and tissue samples, and methods of use thereof. In particular, the quality control device comprises a matrix affixed with synthetic controls in different concentrations, or different synthetic controls. The quality control device can be adhered to a microscope slide via an adhesive or chemically attached to a microscope slide and processed simultaneously with a tissue sample.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for attaching biological molecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates to a glass surface. In particular, a covalent attachment method is described wherein a glass surface is first activated with a water-stable form of an isocyanate, termed a protected isocyanate. The protecting group of the isocyanate moiety is displaced by amines, hydroxyl, or carboxyl groups of biological molecules, leading to covalent attachment to the glass surface.