Abstract: The present application is directed to a composite material comprising a core that is responsive to a magnet or a magnetic field, surrounded by a polymer that has been chemically modified to spontaneously bind and assemble a dense corona of fluorescent quantum dots, which is then over-coated with another layer of modified polymer that can be bound by an antibody complex for targeting specific antigens. Methods of preparing and using this material for the detection and quantification of target antigens is also included in the application.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip for causing the delivery of a payload to a cell comprises a plurality of constrictions configured to allow a cell suspension to flow through one or more of the plurality of constrictions from a first fluid flow region to a second fluid flow region within the microfluidic chip, wherein a cross-sectional width of each of the plurality of constrictions is less than a diameter of cells in the cell suspension, such that membranes of the cells are perturbed when passing through the constrictions such that a payload is able to pass through the perturbed cell membranes, and wherein a quotient of a cross-sectional area over a cross-sectional perimeter of each of the plurality of constrictions is greater than greater than or equal to 0.5 ?m.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the automated culture of cells and apparatus and methods for dissociating one or more colonies in a culture of cells are described. The automated systems include at least an imaging module, a pipette module, a handling module, and optionally a stage module. Coordinated operation of the foregoing modules is effected by at least one processor based on one or more characteristics of the culture of cells calculated from one or more images captured at a first time point and at one or more subsequent time points. The apparatus includes a mounting surface, having one or more impact bumpers, connected to a rotatable drive, a platform rotatable dependently or independently of the drive, and one or more impact brackets connected to the platform and collidable with the one or more impact bumpers to transmit a dissociative force to a culture of cells in a cell culture vessel upon the platform.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a method and device for manipulating a sample, such as a biological sample. A device of this disclosure includes mat having a top planar surface spaced apart from a bottom planar surface and a recess formed in the top planar surface extending toward the bottom planar surface, the recess having an opening at the top planar surface and bounded by a non-planar bottom wall. By way of example, a device of this disclosure may be used to embed an aggregate of cells, such as an embryoid body or a neuralized embryoid body, within extracellular matrix.

Abstract: A method for obtaining epithelial organoids is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises culturing one or more epithelial ducts, epithelial duct fragments and/or epithelial stem cells isolated therefrom in contact with an extracellular matrix in the presence of a basal medium, wherein the medium is free of FGF and/or nicotinamide. Organoids obtained by the methods described herein, and uses thereof, are also provided.

Abstract: This disclosure provides compositions and methods for the activation and expansion of human T cells or NK cells using soluble monospecific antibody complexes.

Abstract: A system for delivering a payload to a cell that includes: a platform supporting an input container, an output container, and a receiver for receiving all or part of a disposable assembly, the disposable assembly including a preparation vessel and a constriction cartridge. The preparation vessel holds a cell suspension as it is prepared for passage through one or more cell-deforming constrictions, and the constriction cartridge houses a component that includes the one or more cell deforming constrictions. Passage through the cell-deforming constrictions causes perturbations in cell membranes to allow entry of a payload into the cells. The system includes one or more processors configured to receive input from a user and to automatically control pressure, temperature, agitation, and/or flow of the cell suspension as it passes through the input container, through the preparation vessel, through the constriction cartridge, and to the output container.

Abstract: This disclosure provides compositions and methods for a low-avidity, high-affinity and high-specificity biomolecular interaction that is rapidly reversible under physiological conditions. The methods comprise linking biological targets (such as molecules, proteins, DNA, cells, etc.) with polymers and anti-polymer ligands and a way to reverse their binding using physiologically compatible polymeric compounds. The methods also comprise a way to combine different polymer/anti-polymer systems for orthogonal labeling. The compositions comprise labels including particles (fluorescent, magnetic, dense, etc.) conjugated to polymers or labels conjugated to anti-polymer antibodies. The compositions also comprise biomolecules (proteins, antibodies, DNA, etc.) conjugated to the polymers. These methods and compositions represent a major improvement to the state-of-the-art.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for the adaptive passage of a culture of cells and apparatus and methods for dissociating cell colonies are described. The systems may include an imaging module, a pipette module, a handling module, and/or a stage module. Coordinated operation of the modules, optionally in an automated manner, is effected by at least one processor based on one or more characteristics of the culture of cells calculated from one or more images captured at more than one time point. A first apparatus for adaptive passage of a culture cells includes an imaging module and at least one processor, which apparatus may be included in the systems or used in the methods. A second apparatus for dissociating cell colonies, may also be included in the systems or used in the methods, includes impact bumper(s) collidable with impact bracket(s) to transmit a dissociative force to a culture of cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for inducing tolerance and/or suppressing an immune response to an antigen by passing a cell suspension containing an anucleate cell through a constriction, wherein the constriction deforms the cell thereby causing a perturbation of the cell such that an antigen and/or tolerogenic factor enters the cell. In some embodiments, the anucleate cell is delivered to an individual and the antigen is delivered to and processed in a tolerogenic environment to induce tolerance and/or suppress an immune response to the antigen.

Abstract: The present application provides formulations of modified peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), wherein the formulation comprises: PBMCs comprising at least one antigen (e.g., a human papillomavirus (HPV) antigen) and a cryopreservation medium. In some embodiments, the PBMCs are conditioned by incubating the PBMC in the presence of an adjuvant.

Abstract: A method for obtaining epithelial organoids is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises culturing one or more epithelial ducts, epithelial duct fragments and/or epithelial stem cells isolated therefrom in contact with an extracellular matrix in the presence of a basal medium, wherein the medium is free of FGF and/or nicotinamide. Organoids obtained by the methods described herein, and uses thereof, are also provided.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip for causing the delivery of a payload to a cell comprises a plurality of constrictions configured to allow a cell suspension to flow through one or more of the plurality of constrictions from a first fluid flow region to a second fluid flow region within the microfluidic chip, wherein a cross-sectional width of each of the plurality of constrictions is less than a diameter of cells in the cell suspension, such that membranes of the cells are perturbed when passing through the constrictions such that a payload is able to pass through the perturbed cell membranes, and wherein a quotient of a cross-sectional area over a cross-sectional perimeter of each of the plurality of constrictions is greater than greater than or equal to 0.5 ?m.

Abstract: A method of recovering a population of extracellular vesicles from a biological sample comprising extracellular vesicles and contaminants is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises: a) removing contaminants from the sample, wherein the contaminants are relatively larger or more dense than the extracellular vesicles; b) contacting the sample of step a) with a plurality of binding compositions, each binding composition having first and/or second moieties capable of binding a recognition motif of the target entities under conditions to allow complexing of the extracellular vesicles with the plurality of binding compositions to form a complexed population of extracellular vesicles, the complexed population of extracellular vesicles having an increased volume and/or higher density in comparison to the extracellular vesicles in individual form; and c) recovering the complexed population of extracellular vesicles.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to improved supplements, culture media and methods for enhancing the survival or proliferation of mammalian stem cells. In particular, adding a lipid supplement, such as a lipid-enriched carrier (e.g. a lipid-enriched albumin), to the culture medium may enhance the survival and/or proliferation of the stem cells by at least 5% to 65% as compared to a culture medium that does not contain the lipid supplement.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for magnetic separation are provided. The apparatus and method can be used to separate magnetically linked targets from unlinked targets in a suspension. The apparatus has a two-dimensional magnetic array that includes a plurality of one-dimensional magnetic arrays that each define a Halbach array. The one-dimensional arrays are positioned adjacent to one another, and the magnetic fields defined by the plurality of one-dimensional arrays are oriented in the same direction across the array surface. A housing can support the plurality of magnetic elements of the two-dimensional magnetic array. The housing defines a container receiving surface on which a container is receivable adjacent the surface of the magnetic array. A container with a plurality of magnetically linked targets and unlinked targets may be positioned in proximity to the array surface to separate the magnetically linked targets from unlinked targets in the suspension.