Abstract: Methods and compositions for quantitative immunoassays are provided, in which ligand-conjugated probes are used to label samples and ligand-surfaced microspheres are used as quantitative reference standards. Certain embodiments provide a method of quantitative flow cytometry where ligands are oligonucleotides, and a sample comprising one or more cells is contacted with a hybridized antibody::fluorophore labeled targeting construct to label the cells, and the labeled cells are analyzed. In some embodiments, a population of quantitative labeled oligospheres labeled with the same fluorescent label as the cells is analyzed using the flow cytometer and used to create a quantitative standard curve of cytometer intensity versus molecules fluorescent label per oligosphere event. A standard curve trendline is established and used to determine the molecules of fluorescent label per cellular event for the antigen-positive cell populations.

Abstract: The present invention, relates to the use of TFF3 in the diagnosis and detection of Barrett's Oesophagus using non-invasive, non-endoscopic methods.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a biological material for unassociated virus-size particles of exosomes having a particular epitope uses a fluorescent antibody stain specific for binding with the epitope and a fluid sample with the exosomes and fluorescent antibody stain is subjected to flow cytometry with identification of fluorescent emission detection events indicative of passage through a flow cell of a flow cytometer of unassociated labeled particles of virus size including such an exosome and fluorescent antibody stain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for prognosis and monitoring of a cancer, preferably bladder cancer, by measuring the proportion of CD8+ T Lymphocytes expressing ILT-2 and the plasma level of soluble HLA-G. The invention also relates to anti HLA-G antibodies for use for treating a cancer in which tumor cells express HLA-G, preferably bladder cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates, firstly, to a biomolecule-releasing cell characterised by a surface protein with an extracellularly exposed ligation peptide sequence for enzymatic conjugation of an adapter ligand, said adapter ligand being suitable for the indirect or direct coupling of a molecular catcher structure which has at least one specific binding site for the released biomolecules and which is at a distance from the specific binding site, secondly, to a method for selecting such a cell, and thirdly, to a means for this method comprising the surface protein that is characterised by an extracellularly exposable ligation peptide sequence for enzymatic conjugation of an adapter ligand, a nucleic acid coding for the surface protein, an expression vector for the nucleic acid, and a cell containing the expression vector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for isolating target biomolecules or cells from samples, particularly biological samples. In particular, the device comprises a loading mixture, which contains the biological sample and a first binding entity that specifically binds to the target biomolecule or target cell; and a micro-channel coated with a second binding entity that binds directly or indirectly to the first binding entity. Methods of capturing, detecting, and/or evaluating target biomolecules or target cells (e.g. cancer cells) in biological samples are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of screening a sample of body fluid obtained from an animal subject for analyte autoantibodies reactive with one or more antigenic molecules selected from pancreatic islet cell antigenic molecules (GAD, 1A2) and insulin, or one or more variants, analogs, derivatives or fragments thereof, and a kit for use in such a method. After addition of the sample one or more complexes comprising [antigenic molecule of first source]-[analyte auto antibody]-[antigenic molecule of second source]. The antigenic molecule of first source is immobilized to a solid phase, the second is labelled.

Abstract: A method of screening a sample of body fluid obtained from an animal subject for analyte autoantibodies reactive with one or more antigenic molecules selected from pancreatic islet cell antigenic molecules (GAD, 1A2) and insulin, or one or more variants, analogs, derivatives or fragments thereof, and a kit for use in such a method. After addition of the sample one or more complexes comprising [antigenic molecule of first source]-[analyte auto antibody]-[antigenic molecule of second source]. The antigenic molecule of first source is immobilized to a solid phase, the second is labeled.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cell-surface marker for identifying MSC that are aging. This invention also relates to a method of screening MSCs of low proliferation potential and trilineage potential by removing CD264+ MSCs from the population.

Abstract: A clearing reagent according to the present invention for making a biological material transparent is a solution containing: at a concentration of 1M or more and not more than 8.5M, at least one compound selected from the group consisting of urea and urea derivatives; and glycerol at a concentration of 25 (w/v) % or more and not more than 35 (w/v) %.

Abstract: The present invention is related to novel methods for diagnosing and treating acute pulmonary exacerbation in subjects in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for concurrent resolution of the cancer stem cell (CSC) derived hierarchy, genetic instability, differentially cycling cells and host cells recruited for performing tumor growth supporting functions; and (ii) quantification, monitoring and analysis of these populations. The first level of analysis can be carried out using either CSC- and progenitor-specific markers or a marker-free approach based on label-chase to resolve the tumor regenerative hierarchy. The next level involves combinatorial quantification of differential DNA-RNA contents to identify recruited host and tumor cell variants resulted from genetic instability and differential cycling within the tumor.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a biological material for unassociated virus-size particles having a particular epitope uses a fluorescent antibody stain specific for binding with the epitope and a fluid sample with the virus-size particles and fluorescent antibody stain is subjected to flow cytometry with identification of fluorescent emission detection events indicative of passage through a flow cell of a flow cytometer of unassociated labeled particles of virus size including such a virus-size particle and fluorescent antibody stain.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of predicting cell sensitivity or resistance to a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The described invention provides a method for quantifying cellular antigens that is independent of specially prepared calibration beads and antibody reagents. The described method can be applied to both low and high affinity antibodies, under both saturating and non-saturating binding conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising magnetic particles, the methods of using these compositions in processing animal sperm, the resulting sperm and embryo products, and the methods of use of these compositions to increase the efficiency, efficacy and/or speed of cell processing and artificial insemination techniques.

Abstract: According to an aspect of some embodiments, an apparatus for isolation and cytometric analysis of cells from a liquid medium is provided. The apparatus comprises a cell reservoir, for receiving a liquid medium containing a suspension of cells. The apparatus further comprises a cell cage array between the cell reservoir and an enclosed reservoir, each cell cage comprising a large opening adjacent to the first cell reservoir, a cell cage, and one or more small opening adjacent to the enclosed reservoir. A connected liquid medium pump may move the suspended cells into cell cages by flowing the liquid medium from the cell reservoir to the enclosed reservoir. The apparatus further comprises a mechanical element which when actuated, pushes the cell cage array against a gel layer, forming a contiguous barrier to isolate each cell in a cell cage, and allowing cytometric analysis of isolated cells.

Abstract: The disclosed invention includes methods and kits for the removal of white blood cells from samples of immunomagnetically enriched rare cells by treating the sample with a leukocyte marker conjugated to a hapten which adheres to the white blood cells and treating the resulting product with a second medium that adheres to the hapten of the white blood cells that are labeled with the leukocyte marker conjugated to hapten and removing the labeled white blood cells.

Abstract: Methods for using focused light scattering techniques for the optical sensing of biological particles suspended in a liquid medium are disclosed. The optical sensing enables one to characterize particles size and/or distribution in a given sample. This, in turn, allows one to identify the biological particles, determine their relative particle density, detect particle shedding, and identify particle aggregation. The methods are also useful in screening and optimizing drug candidates, evaluating the efficacy and dosage levels of such drugs, and in personalized medicine applications.

Abstract: Method of enriching specific cells from cellular samples are disclosed, comprising contacting in solution a cellular sample with affinity-tagged ligands (ATLs) each comprising a first ligand linked to an affinity tag, wherein the ligand selectively binds a cellular marker of the rare cells and the affinity tag can be selectively captured by a capture moiety, wherein the affinity tags do not comprise a magnetic particle; and flowing the sample through a microfluidic device comprising the capture moiety to selectively retain ATL-bound cells. Methods for enriching circulating tumor cells, and devices for enriching specific cells from cellular samples are also disclosed.