Abstract: The present application is directed to methods of improving cell culture vessel assays. In one aspect the application is directed to a method of reducing the curvature of the meniscus comprising applying a coating material to the interior wall of the vessel, wherein the coating material provides a receding contact angle of about 90 degrees with aqueous solutions and culture media. In another aspect, the application is directed to a method of labeling cells in a first solution by generating droplets of a second solution containing at least one cell-labelling agent and allowing the droplets of the second solution to contact the surface of the first solution.

Abstract: A meniscus reducing member for use in a vessel for containing a liquid including a surface feature overlying at least a portion of an interior surface of the vessel. The surface feature includes at least two surfaces for contacting the liquid that cooperate to reduce a width of a meniscus formed at an interface between the liquid and the surface feature by physically altering a contact angle between the liquid and the surface feature.

Abstract: An insert for a centrifuge tube suitable for use in density gradient separation is described. The insert includes a member sized to fit within the tube for dividing the tube into a top portion and a bottom portion. Optionally the insert has a support extending or depending from the member for positioning the member within the tube. At least two openings are located on the member so that a first opening is closer to a bottom end of the tube relative to a second opening when the insert is positioned in the centrifuge tube. Also described are methods for separating a target population of cells from a sample using the insert for a centrifuge tube.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of generating germ layers from stem cells comprising culturing the stem cells in a culture media having osmolality ranges that promote the generation of specific germ layer progenitor cells. The present disclosure also includes a method to generate different cell lineages from the germ layers as well as to detect them by immunological methods. The present disclosure further provides methods for the generation, isolation, cultivation and propagation of committed progenitor cells and for the production of differentiated cells from the three germ layers. The present disclosure also provides culture media and kits for use in inducing the three germ layers.

Abstract: A method of pipetting comprises (a) providing a pipette tip holder having a plurality of segregated compartments and a tip support member for supporting a plurality of pipette tips in the pipette tip holder, the tip support member configured to support a single pipette in tip each segregated compartment; (b providing a plurality of pipette tips in the tip support member; (c) removing a first pipette tip from a first segregated compartment; (d) using the first pipette tip to complete a pipetting operation and placing the first pipette tip into a segregated compartment that has not contained a used pipette tip; (e) subsequently removing the first pipette tip from the segregated compartment and using the first pipette tip to complete another pipetting operation; and, (f) replacing the first pipette tip into the pipette tip holder, whereby the first pipette tip, when placed in the segregated compartment, is segregated in the pipette tip holder to reduce the possibility of a fluid from the first pipette tip contac

Abstract: A filter apparatus comprises a filter having first and second opposed surfaces. A first reservoir is positioned adjacent with the first surface and in communication with the first surface, and a first inlet-outlet port is in communication with the first reservoir and spaced from the first surface. A second reservoir is positioned adjacent the second surface, and in communication with the second surface, and a second inlet-outlet port is in communication with the second reservoir and spaced from the second surface. A filter plate system comprises a reservoir plate. The reservoir plate comprises at least one reservoir well. The filter plate system further comprises a strainer plate. The strainer plate comprises at least one strainer well, which is removably receivable in the reservoir well. The strainer well comprises at least one mesh wall portion.

Abstract: A pipette nozzle is provided for use on a movable arm on an automated pipette machine. The pipette nozzle includes a body defining a passage therethrough. At least two seating surfaces are provided on the body, including a first seating surface and a second seating surface. The first seating surface is configured to receive and sealingly mate with a first size of pipette tip in a manner such that the first end of the passage is in fluid communication with the first size of pipette tip. The second seating surface is configured to receive and sealingly mate with a second size of pipette tip in a manner such that the first end of the passage is in fluid communication with the second size of pipette tip. The seating surfaces are frustoconical outer surfaces. The pipette nozzle may be further configured to sealingly mate with and removably receive a third pipette tip having a third diameter different from the first diameter and the second diameter.

Abstract: There is also provided an apparatus for use on an automated pipette machine for transmitting pressure changes produced by a pump on the machine to a pipette nozzle. The apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber a first conduit and a second conduit. The first conduit extends into the chamber and has a first opening positioned in the chamber. The first conduit is fluidically connectible to the nozzle. The second conduit extends into the chamber and has a first opening positioned in the chamber. The second conduit is fluidically connectible to the pump. The first opening of the first conduit is positioned above the first opening of the second conduit. The chamber defines at least a selected volume between the height of the first opening of the first conduit and the height of the first opening of the second conduit.

Abstract: A pipette nozzle is provided for use on a movable arm on an automated pipette machine. The pipette nozzle includes a body defining a passage therethrough and having at least two seating surfaces provided on the body. The first seating surface is configured to receive and sealingly mate with a first size of pipette tip in a manner such that the first end of the passage is in fluid communication with the first size of pipette tip. The second seating surface is configured to correspondingly receive, sealingly mate and provide passage first end fluid communication with a second size of pipette tip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method that permits the differential isolation of mouse mammary stem cells and colony forming cells (CFCs). The method involves depletion of non-epithelial cells from freshly dissociated mouse mammary tissue by incubation with an antibody composition containing antibodies specific for CD45, Ter119, CD35 and optionally CD140a. After formation of conjugates between the non-epithelial mammary cells and the antibodies specific for CD45, Ter119, CD35 and optionally CD140a, the cell conjugates are removed and the remaining epithelial cells are then incubated with an antibody composition containing antibodies specific for CD24 and CD49f or CD24 and CD14. After formation of conjugates between the epithelial cells and the antibodies specific for CD24 and CD49f or CD24 and CD14, the mouse mammary stem and the luminal-restricted CFC cells can be differentially isolated.

Abstract: The present application is directed to methods of improving cell culture vessel assays. In one aspect the application is directed to a method of reducing the curvature of the meniscus comprising applying a coating material to the interior wall of the vessel, wherein the coating material provides a receding contact angle of about 90 degrees with aqueous solutions and culture media. In another aspect, the application is directed to a method of labeling cells in a first solution by generating droplets of a second solution containing at least one cell-labelling agent and allowing the droplets of the second solution to contact the surface of the first solution.

Abstract: A method of pipetting comprises (a) providing a pipette tip holder having a plurality of segregated compartments and a tip support member for supporting a plurality of pipette tips in the pipette tip holder, the tip support member configured to support a single pipette in tip each segregated compartment; (b providing a plurality of pipette tips in the tip support member; (c) removing a first pipette tip from a first segregated compartment; (d) using the first pipette tip to complete a pipetting operation and placing the first pipette tip into a segregated compartment that has not contained a used pipette tip; (e) subsequently removing the first pipette tip from the segregated compartment and using the first pipette tip to complete another pipetting operation; and, (f) replacing the first pipette tip into the pipette tip holder, whereby the first pipette tip, when placed in the segregated compartment, is segregated in the pipette tip holder to reduce the possibility of a fluid from the first pipette tip contac

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method that permits the differential isolation of mouse mammary stem cells and colony forming cells (CFCs). The method involves depletion of non-epithelial cells from freshly dissociated mouse mammary tissue by incubation with an antibody composition containing antibodies specific for CD45, Ter119, CD35 and optionally CD140a. After formation of conjugates between the non-epithelial mammary cells and the antibodies specific for CD45, Ter119, CD35 and optionally CD140a, the cell conjugates are removed and the remaining epithelial cells are then incubated with an antibody composition containing antibodies specific for CD24 and CD49f. After formation of conjugates between the epithelial cells and the antibodies specific for CD24 and CD49f, the mouse mammary stem and the luminal-restricted CFC cells can be differentially isolated. The invention also relates to kits for carrying out this method and to the cell preparations prepared by this method.

Abstract: A pipette nozzle is provided for use on a movable arm on an automated pipette machine. The pipette nozzle includes a body defining a passage therethrough. At least two seating surfaces are provided on the body, including a first seating surface and a second seating surface. The first seating surface is configured to receive and sealingly mate with a first size of pipette tip in a manner such that the first end of the passage is in fluid communication with the first size of pipette tip. The second seating surface is configured to receive and sealingly mate with a second size of pipette tip in a manner such that the first end of the passage is in fluid communication with the second size of pipette tip.

Abstract: A pipette nozzle is provided for use on a movable arm on an automated pipette machine. The pipette nozzle includes a body defining a passage therethrough. At least two seating surfaces are provided on the body, including a first seating surface and a second seating surface. The first seating surface is configured to receive and sealingly mate with a first size of pipette tip in a manner such that the first end of the passage is in fluid communication with the first size of pipette tip. The second seating surface is configured to receive and sealingly mate with a second size of pipette tip in a manner such that the first end of the passage is in fluid communication with the second size of pipette tip.

Abstract: A pipette nozzle is provided for use on a movable arm on an automated pipette machine. The pipette nozzle includes a body defining a passage therethrough. At least two seating surfaces are provided on the body, including a first seating surface and a second seating surface. The first seating surface is configured to receive and sealingly mate with a first size of pipette tip in a manner such that the first end of the passage is in fluid communication with the first size of pipette tip. The second seating surface is configured to receive and sealingly mate with a second size of pipette tip in a manner such that the first end of the passage is in fluid communication with the second size of pipette tip.

Abstract: A neural colony forming cell (NCFC) assay is described. The assay allows one to distinguish neural stem cells from neural progenitor cells. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for identifying neural stem cells or neural progenitor cells comprising: (a) suspending neural cells in a semi-solid medium which supports the growth of neural cells; (b) plating the cells in the semi-solid medium at a density that allows for the production of colonies; (c) culturing the plated cells until size differences can be discerned between the colonies; and (d) estimating colony size wherein the larger colonies are likely produced by neural stem cells and wherein the small colonies are likely produced by neural progenitor cells In alternate embodiments, NSC can be distinguished from neural progenitor cells by determining the morphology or antigen expression of the colonies.

Abstract: A method for preventing or inhibiting non-specific binding reactions between a detection reagent and an antigen in an immunological assay is described. The method involves using tetrameric antibody complexes that can bind to the antigen and are comprised of two monoclonal antibodies of a first animal species linked to two monoclonal antibodies of a second animal species that can bind the antibodies of the first animal species. Preferably, the antigen is an Fc Receptor and the method reduces the binding of a detection antibody with Fc receptors present on the surface of many cells.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for separating a first population of cells from a second population of cells in a sample by discontinuous density gradient separation using dense particles to target the first population of cells and a density separation medium (DSM) that is at least about 0.001 g/cm3 higher than the density of the second population of cells.

Abstract: A method for preventing or inhibiting non-specific binding reactions between a detection reagent and an antigen in an immunological assay is described. The method involves using tetrameric antibody complexes that can bind to the antigen and are comprised of two monoclonal antibodies of a first animal species linked to two monoclonal antibodies of a second animal species that can bind the antibodies of the first animal species. Preferably, the antigen is an Fc Receptor and the method reduces the binding of a detection antibody with Fc receptors present on the surface of many cells.