Abstract: The invention relates to a method comprising (a) providing a vertebrate somatic cell, (b) inducing expression in said cell of at least three transcription factors, wherein said transcription factors are: i. Tbet (Tbx21), ii. Tcf7, and iii. Ets1; (c) incubating said cell to allow transdifferentiation. Suitably said cell is transdifferentiated to an immune effector cell. The invention also relates to cells, nucleic acids, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treatment.

Abstract: Novel solid-phase biosensors that utilize ink jet printing of biocompatible sol-gel based inks to create sensor strips are reported herein. Biomolecules and other reagents useful in bioassays to detect, for example, pathogenic microorganisms or toxic substances, are immobilized on a substrate, which can be paper based, by layering these substances between two layers of biomolecule compatible sol gel. The sol gel precursor solutions and solutions of the assay reagents are printed from separate nozzles in a layered approach which avoids clogging of the nozzles by the pre-mature gelling of the sol gel precursor solution. In certain embodiments of the application, a capture agent is used to concentrate a compound to be detected in specific areas on the substrate to facilitate detection.