Abstract: The invention provides methods for identifying modulators of ion channels without the use of recombinant cell lines over-expressing the ion channel proteins or the use of detection labels.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods of identifying peptoid mimetics that will mimic B cell epitopes when delivered as vaccine compositions. One aspects of the invention is the use of monoclonal antibody that is broadly protective to select the mimetics, thereby identifying an epitope from a pathogen or other disease-causing agent that will be common among most or all variants of that pathogen or agent.

Abstract: Microarray compositions suitable for analysis by one or several spectrographic methods are disclosed. In an embodiment, a microarray composition includes a three-dimensional solid support and a plurality of reactive microbeads positioned on the solid support in spatially distinct and addressable locations.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for detecting allogeneic therapeutic cells (such as human umbilical cord tissue-derived cells (hUTC)) in blood. The methods includes the steps of identifying one or more one or more markers positive for allogeneic therapeutic cells (e.g. hUTC) and one or more markers positive for human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC); providing a blood sample from a patient that has been treated with allogeneic therapeutic cells (e.g. hUTC), analyzing the sample using an assay method to detect one or more markers positive for PBMC and one or more markers positive for allogeneic therapeutic cells (e.g. hUTC); and distinguishing between the PBMC and one or more markers positive for allogeneic therapeutic cells (e.g. hUTC). In one embodiment, the cells are hUTC and the markers positive of hUTC include CD10 and/or CD13 and the one or more markers positive for PBMC includes CD45.

Abstract: A bead immobilization method including receiving at least one bead in at least one well in a casting surface, and casting a casting material over the casting surface to form a reverse casting in which the at least one bead is cast onto at least one post upstanding from a surface of the reverse casting.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for detecting and capturing molecular biomarkers from a subject in situ. Specifically, the devices contain an array of microneedles to which are attached probes specific for one or more biomarkers of interest. The devices can be used directly on a subject (e.g., via skin piercing) in detecting the biomarkers in the body of the subject (e.g., tissues, blood stream).

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions to screen for small molecule drugs that inhibit proteases, such as viral proteases, e.g., HIV proteases; and methods for making and using these compositions. The invention provides compositions and methods for identifying compositions, e.g., drug molecules, that can inhibit proteases, e.g., HIV proteases. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides cell-based assays to screen for compositions, e.g., small molecules or drugs, that inhibit or modify the activity of enzymes such as calcium-dependent protein convertases involved in HIV envelop protein processing, including cleavage of the HIV gp160 envelope precursor, resulting in gp120 and gp41 envelope products.

Abstract: A novel assay using plated (cultured) human hepatocytes is disclosed. In this assay, cryopreserved human hepatocytes are thawed and cultured for 4 hours to allow attachment, followed by incubation with compounds for 24 hours. After the 24 hour incubation, aliquots can be collected for quantification of the remaining parent compounds. The remaining incubated media are transferred to freshly thawed and cultured cryopreserved hepatocyte and incubated for another 24 hour period. The process can be repeated daily resulting in accumulated incubation durations of multiple days. The innovation is the use of a new culture on each day, thereby overcoming the known decrease in metabolic activity of hepatocytes with time in culture.

Abstract: Provided is an array including a solid support having a surface, the surface having a plurality of wells, the wells containing a gel material, the wells being separated from each other by interstitial regions on the surface, the interstitial regions segregating the gel material in each of the wells from the gel material in other wells of the plurality; and a library of target nucleic acids in the gel material, wherein the gel material in each of the wells comprises a single species of the target nucleic acids of the library. Methods for making and using the array are also provided.

Abstract: A method comprising the following steps: (a) contacting a topographically structured stamp to an array of spots comprising lipid ink on a palette to force the lipid ink of each of the spots into recesses of the topographically structured stamp, (b) removing the palette from the topographically structured stamp so that at least some the lipid ink from each of the spots is retained in the recesses of the topographically structured stamp, and (c) printing the lipid ink in each of the recesses on a substrate as an array of stamped spots using the topographically structured stamp to thereby form a patterned substrate, wherein the recesses have one or more recess patterns, wherein each stamped spot of the array of stamped spots comprises lipid multilayer structure, and wherein the patterned array is based on the one or more recess patterns.

Abstract: Embodiments of various aspects described herein are directed to amplification of biological entities, for example, for phage display. In one aspect, members of a library of biological entities are encapsulated in separate compartments (e.g., in separate microfluidic droplets) and amplified. For example, by putting members of a phage display library into microfluidic droplets such that no droplet contains more than one member of the library, the library can be amplified without any substantial changes in population distributions, or other artifacts created due to differences in growth rates or amplification between different members of the library. In some cases, the volume of the compartments can be used to control the copy number of a biological entity during amplification. This can be advantageous, for example, in preserving diversity within a library by preventing rapidly amplifying biological entities from outcompeting slowly amplifying biological entities.

Abstract: Provided are a method and means permitting the simultaneous measurement of the reactive properties of more than 10,000 of antigen-stimulated lymphocytes being held on a chip. A microwell array comprises multiple wells capturing single cells and a coating layer on a principal surface around the wells containing a substance capable of binding to a substance produced by the cells in the wells. A method for screening a target cell comprises: causing specimen cells and a cell culture broth to be contained in the wells of the microwell array; culturing the cells in a state permitting the diffusion of substances from the wells into the coating layer; feeding a label substance binding specifically to a substance produced by a target cell onto the coating layer; and detecting the substance produced by the target cell by the label substance binding around the well to specify the target cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a serum-free freezing medium used in adipose-derived stem cells and a method for establishing an adipose-derived stem cell library. The serum-free freezing medium comprises a serum-free culture medium, dimethyl sulfoxide and a serum substitution component KSR; the defects of unstable freezing quality of the adipose-derived stem cells and influence of harmful factors in serum on the adipose-derived stem cells are solved, and the adipose-derived stem cells stored have the advantages of high survival percentage, well adherence growth and strong differentiation capacity.

Abstract: A cell having a surface coated with Annexin A1 (ANXA1), a method of detecting a substance binding to ANXA1 using the cell, and a method of preparing the cell are provided.

Abstract: Methods for producing recombinant cell populations are disclosed. The disclosed methods may be used to produce therapeutic polyclonal proteins.

Abstract: A method for identifying persons with increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes mellitus, or having type I diabetes mellitus, utilizing selected biomarkers described herein either alone or in combination. The present disclosure allows for broad based, reliable, screening of large population bases. Also provided are arrays and kits that can be used to perform such methods.

Abstract: To provide a means and a method of quickly sampling a tissue fragment from a plant tissue, quickly preserving a gene expression state within the tissue fragment, and comprehensively analyzing the gene expression state. The present invention relates to a method of sampling a plant tissue section, comprising: inserting a first gel layer into a needle; arranging a plant tissue on a second gel layer; and passing the needle through the plant tissue together with the second gel layer, and sampling a section of the plant tissue in the needle.

Abstract: Methods of clonal analysis of functional genomic assays are provided. Aspects of the invention include transducing a population of target cells with a packaged viral effector library made up of a plurality of effector construct subsets, wherein each effector construct subset of the library includes a plurality of effector constructs having a common effector cassette linked to a distinct clonal barcode. Inclusion of distinct clonal barcodes in the effector construct subset allows for determination of the clonal representation of an effector construct subset in transduced target cells that exhibit a specific phenotype. Aspects of the invention further include compositions, e.g., libraries and components thereof, which find use in practicing the methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a formulations and methods for coupling a reactant (or probe precursor) to a functionalized surface for purposes of forming an arrayed sensor. This method includes the steps of: providing a surface having a reactive functional group; and introducing onto the surface, at a plurality of discrete locations, two or more compositions of the invention, which include a different reactant (probe precursor) and a non-nucleophilic additive, wherein such introduction is carried out under conditions effective to allow for covalent binding of the reactant to the surface via the reactive functional group. This results in a probe-functionalized array that substantially overcomes the problem of surface morphological anomalies on the array surface. Use of the resulting arrays in various detection systems is also encompassed.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods for analysis of disease cell response to a therapeutic agent. In embodiments, a method comprises administering the therapeutic agent to a disease cell sample from the subject in a device that measures at least one physiological parameter of a cell; determining whether a change occurs in the physiologic parameter of the disease cell sample in response to the therapeutic agent as compared to a baseline measurement or the physiological parameter before administration of the therapeutic agent, and selecting the therapeutic agent that results in the change in the at least one physiologic parameter. In embodiments, the disease cells are whole, viable, and/or label free.