Abstract: There is provided a microscope device comprising a microscope objective (12), a first light source (18) for transmitted light illumination of the sample (16) with light within a first spectral range and a second light source (20) for transmitted light illumination of the sample with light within a second spectral range different from the first spectral range, a tube lens (22) for forming a sample-image from the light collected by the microscope objective, a first camera detector (32) for detecting light within the first spectral range, a second camera detector (34) for detecting light within the second spectral range, a dichroic beam splitter (24) in the image beam path (26) between the tube lens and the detectors, and an analyzer unit (44), The beam splitter reflects light within the first spectral range onto the first detector and transmits light within the second spectral range onto the second detector, and wherein the analyzer unit is configured to combine a first image of the sample recorded by the first

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for the enrichment of pancreatic progenitor cells from cell populations derived from pluripotent stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Disclosed herein are the markers CD51 and CD177 for the enrichment of pancreatic progenitors and CD275 for the enrichment or depletion of liver progenitors.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to ligand like a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), comprising an antigen binding domain specific for one or more antigens selected from the group consisting of CLA, CD142, CD73, CD49c, CD66c, CD104, CD318 and TSPAN8; cell populations expressing such CARs and the use of the cell populations for cancer therapy.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an in vitro method for the generation of a cell composition comprising or consisting of ventral midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cells from a cell composition comprising pluripotent and/or multipotent stem cells, the method comprising the steps of A) differentiating said pluripotent and/or multipotent stem cells into ventral dopaminergic progenitor cells, thereby generating a cell composition comprising ventral dopaminergic progenitor cells comprising ventral midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cells and ventral hindbrain dopaminergic progenitor cells, and B) Enriching CD117 positive cells from said cell composition comprising ventral dopaminergic progenitor cells by using an antigen binding molecule specific for the CD117 antigen, thereby generating said cell composition comprising or consisting of ventral midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cells. Cell compositions obtainable by said method are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a cell population for use in treating cancer in a patient, comprising CD1c(BDCA-1)+/CD19? dendritic cells, wherein CD1c(BDCA-1)+/CD19? dendritic cells are depleted for CD1c(BDCA-1)+/CD19?/CD14+ cells.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a cell population for use in treating cancer in a patient, comprising CD1c (BDCA-1)+/CD19? dendritic cells, wherein CD1c(BDCA-1)+/CD19? dendritic cells are depleted for CD1c (BDCA-1)+/CD19?/CD14+ cells.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a Method for detecting a target moiety in a sample of biological specimens by: a) providing at least one conjugate with the general formula (I) An-P-Bm-Cq-Xo??(I) with A: antigen recognizing moiety; P: enzymatically degradable spacer; B: first binding moiety C second binding moiety X: detection moiety; n, m, q, o integers between 1 and 100, wherein B and C are non-covalently bound to each other and A and B are covalently bound to P b) labelling the target moiety recognized by the antigen recognizing moiety A with at least one conjugate c) detecting the labelled target moiety via detecting moiety X d) cleaving Cq-Xo by disrupting the non-covalent bond between Bm and Cq from the labelled target moiety e) cleaving the binding moiety Bm from the labelled target moiety by enzymatically degrading spacer P. The method is useful to identify target moieties on the biological specimens.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a Method for detecting a target moiety in a sample of biological specimens by: a) providing at least one conjugate with the general formula (I) An-P-Bm-Cq-Xo??(I) ?with A: antigen recognizing moiety; P: enzymatically degradable spacer; B: first binding moiety C second binding moiety X: detection moiety; n, m, q, o integers between 1 and 100, wherein B and C are non-covalently bound to each other and A and B are covalently bound to P b) labelling the target moiety recognized by the antigen recognizing moiety A with at least one conjugate c) detecting the labelled target moiety via detecting moiety X d) cleaving Cq-Xo by disrupting the non-covalent bond between Bm and Cq from the labelled target moiety e) cleaving the binding moiety Bm from the labelled target moiety by enzymatically degrading spacer P. The method is useful to identify target moieties on the biological specimens.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an in-vitro method for transferring biological material into activated NK cells with a pseudotyped retroviral vector particle or a virus-like particle thereof, comprising the steps a) activation of NK cells, and b) addition of said pseudotyped retroviral vector particle or virus-like particle thereof to said activated NK cells, wherein said pseudotyped retroviral vector particle or virus-like particle thereof comprises a modified baboon endogenous retrovirus (BaEV) envelope glycoprotein that is able of binding to and fusing with a hematopoietic cell membrane, thereby transferring biological material into said activated NK cells. Preferentially, the activating of NK cells is performed by the addition of a IL-1 family cytokine to the NK cells.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a peristaltic pump (10), comprising: a flexible membrane (1) forming a at least one bladder (2) against a support, wherein each bladder is provided with one input orifice (4) which admits a fluid to the bladder (2) and one outlet orifice (5) which releases the fluid from the bladder (2); and at least one roller bearing (6) is configured to rotate about an axis (7) and to apply a compressive force against the at least one bladder (2). The peristaltic pump may be in fluid communication with a tapered jet (11).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a slide chamber comprising a top member (10), a fluidic seal (20), a transparent closure member (30) and base member (40) wherein the top member (10) is provided with at least one examination chamber (11) and a plurality of openings (12) positioned at two sides of the cover member outside of the examination chamber (11); and the base member (40) is provided with interconnecting means (41) complementary to the openings (12) of the top member characterized in that the interconnecting means (41) of the base member (40) and the openings (12) of the top member (10) are configured to mechanically interlock with each other by lateral movement thereby pressing the top member (10) against the transparent closure (30) member in a water-tight manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system, comprising: a) a sample processing unit, comprising an input port and an output port coupled to a rotating container having at least one sample chamber, the sample processing unit configured provide a first processing step to a sample or to rotate the container so as to apply a centrifugal force to a sample deposited in the chamber and separate at least a first component and a second component of the deposited sample; and b) a sample separation unit coupled to the output port of the sample processing unit, the cell separation unit comprising separation column holder (42), a pump (64) and a plurality of valves (1-11) configured to at least partially control fluid flow through a fluid circuitry and a separation column (40) positioned in the holder, the separation column configured to separate labeled and unlabeled components of sample flowed through the column.

Abstract: The invention provides humanized antibody and other antigen-binding fragments that are specific for the newly identified dendritic cell marker BDCA-2. These agents may be used for treatment of conditions caused or mediated by dendritic cells, including but not limited to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The invention includes pharmaceutical compositions that contain a means for specifically binding BDCA-2, methods of preparing therapeutic products, and their use in therapy. Methods are also provided for screening, manufacture, and use of specific antibodies that identify other dendritic cell markers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to ligand like a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), comprising an antigen binding domain specific for one or more antigens selected from the group consisting of CLA, CD142, CD73, CD49c, CD66c, CD104, CD318 and TSPAN8; cell populations expressing such CARs and the use of the cell populations for cancer therapy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system, comprising: a) a sample processing unit, comprising an input port and an output port coupled to a rotating container having at least one sample chamber, the sample processing unit configured provide a first processing step to a sample or to rotate the container so as to apply a centrifugal force to a sample deposited in the chamber and separate at least a first component and a second component of the deposited sample; and b) a sample separation unit coupled to the output port of the sample processing unit, the cell separation unit comprising separation column holder (42), a pump (64) and a plurality of valves (1-11) configured to at least partially control fluid flow through a fluid circuitry and a separation column (40) positioned in the holder, the separation column configured to separate labeled and unlabeled components of sample flowed through the column.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system, comprising: a) a sample processing unit, comprising an input port and an output port coupled to a rotating container having at least one sample chamber, the sample processing unit configured provide a first processing step to a sample or to rotate the container so as to apply a centrifugal force to a sample deposited in the chamber and separate at least a first component and a second component of the deposited sample; and b) a sample separation unit coupled to the output port of the sample processing unit, the cell separation unit comprising separation column holder (42), a pump (64) and a plurality of valves (1-11) configured to at least partially control fluid flow through a fluid circuitry and a separation column (40) positioned in the holder, the separation column configured to separate labeled and unlabeled components of sample flowed through the column.

Abstract: The present invention provides an in-vitro method for analyzing a cell composition comprising human floorplate mesDA progenitor cells, the method comprising a) contacting the cells of said cell composition or the cells of a sample thereof with antigen binding molecules specific for the antigens FOXA2, OTX2, PAX6, and NKX6.1, thereby labeling the cells of said cell composition or of said sample, b) determining the percentage of said cells that are labelled with said antigen binding molecules for each of said antigens, and wherein the cells of said cell composition qualify as human floorplate mesDA progenitor cells if the protein expression profile of said cells is: 80-100% of said cells are positive for FOXA2, 80-100% of said cells are positive for OTX2, less than 10% of said cells are positive for PAX6, and less than 10% of said cells are positive for NKX6.1. A kit comprising said antigen binding molecules for use in said method is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system, comprising: a) a sample processing unit, comprising an input port and an output port coupled to a rotating container having at least one sample chamber, the sample processing unit configured provide a first processing step to a sample or to rotate the container so as to apply a centrifugal force to a sample deposited in the chamber and separate at least a first component and a second component of the deposited sample; and b) a sample separation unit coupled to the output port of the sample processing unit, the cell separation unit comprising separation column holder (42), a pump (64) and a plurality of valves (1-11) configured to at least partially control fluid flow through a fluid circuitry and a separation column (40) positioned in the holder, the separation column configured to separate labeled and unlabeled components of sample flowed through the column.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system, comprising: a) a sample processing unit, comprising an input port and an output port coupled to a rotating container having at least one sample chamber, the sample processing unit configured provide a first processing step to a sample or to rotate the container so as to apply a centrifugal force to a sample deposited in the chamber and separate at least a first component and a second component of the deposited sample; and b) a sample separation unit coupled to the output port of the sample processing unit, the cell separation unit comprising separation column holder (42), a pump (64) and a plurality of valves (1-11) configured to at least partially control fluid flow through a fluid circuitry and a separation column (40) positioned in the holder, the separation column configured to separate labeled and unlabeled components of sample flowed through the column.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides comprising a mutant human IgG4, which mutant human IgG4 is capable of increasing the binding to and activation of immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM)-containing Fc?RIIb/c (CD32b), but not Fc?RIIa (CD32a). More specifically, the invention relates to polypeptides comprising at least one human IgG4 with a lysine at position 409 (409K), using the EU index according to Kabat et al., which IgG4 is capable of binding to human CD32b/c with a statistically significant (p=0.05) higher binding affinity than a wild-type human IgG1 and than a wild-type human IgG4, for use in the prevention and/or treatment of an autoimmune disease or allergy, as further defined in the claims.