Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a peptide comprising four domains, wherein domain I consists of thioctyl or monocytl, domain II consists of 2 to 3 positively charged amino acids selected from the group consisting of lysine and arginine, domain III consists of a dimeric ethylene unit; and domain IV comprises the peptide with SEQ ID No. 1 or a sequence having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID No. I. The peptide is preferably attached to a gold nanostructure, preferably a gold nanorod to provide an EFGR kit. An EFGR detection kit of the invention employs a gold nanostructure attached to a peptide sequence, the peptide sequence includes a binding sequence with an affinity toward EGFR, a ligand bound to gold atoms of the nanorod, a positively charged amino acid that maintains activity of the binding sequence, and a unit that increases hydrophilicity of the peptide sequence.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a peptide comprising four domains, wherein domain I consists of thioctyl or monocytl, domain II consists of 2 to 3 positively charged amino acids selected from the group consisting of lysine and arginine, domain III consists of a dimeric ethylene unit; and domain IV comprises the peptide with SEQ ID No. 1 or a sequence having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID No. I. The peptide is preferably attached to a gold nanostructure, preferably a gold nanorod to provide an EFGR kit. An EFGR detection kit of the invention employs a gold nanostructure attached to a peptide sequence, the peptide sequence includes a binding sequence with an affinity toward EGFR, a ligand bound to gold atoms of the nanorod, a positively charged amino acid that maintains activity of the binding sequence, and a unit that increases hydrophilicity of the peptide sequence.

Abstract: Provided are new and improved methods for detecting circulating tumor cells and tumor cell DNA in patient blood or other biofluid samples. Particular aspects comprise three steps: DNA extraction from patient samples, DNA digestion with multiple selected methylation-sensitive enzymes, and target amplification by a conventional or a real-time PCR with specific probe and/or primers. Also provided are a total of 40 tumor-specific DNA methylation loci as biomarkers having substantial utility and specificity in major types of human malignancies including hematopoietic and solid tumors.

Abstract: Differential Methylation Hybridization (DMH) was used to identify novel methylation markers and methylation profiles for hematopoieetic malignancies, leukemia, lymphomas, etc. (e.g., non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL), small B-cell lymphomas (SBCL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma (FL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (B-CLL/SLL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), multiple myeloma (MM), acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), etc.). Particular aspects provide novel biomarkers for NHL and subtypes thereof (e.g., MCL, B-CLL/SLL, FL, DLBCL, etc.), AML, ALL and MM, and further provide non-invasive tests (e.g. blood tests) for lymphomas and leukemias. Additional aspects provide markers for diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring responses to therapies, relapse, etc., and further provide targets and methods for therapeutic demethylating treatments.

Abstract: Cells are treated to preserve them in non-frozen hydrated form with minimal alterations to their antigens or nucleic acids. This makes the cells useful as quality control (QC) reagents for processes such as calibrating and standardizing flow cytometry equipment, for use as "unknown" test samples for QC testing programs, and to prepare patient specimens for archival storage. This method includes: (1) treating the cells to inhibit proteolysis, preferably using several protease inhibitors; (2) fixing the cells, either by contacting them with a crosslinking agent such as formalin or paraformaldehyde, or by exposure to microwave radiation, while the cells are being agitated to promote the formation of crosslinking bonds within a single cell while inhibiting the formation of cell clumps; and (3) if the cells are treated with a chemical crosslinking agent, removing the crosslinking agent and contacting the cells with a quenching agent. The cells should be stored in a solution containing protease inhibitors.

Abstract: A new microscope construction wherein the large components may be made in quantity using plastic molding techniques. The improved microscope comprises a base of inverted dish shape, a bridge comprising a plurality of legs, and an eye-piece housing. The lower end of each leg is connected to the base and the upper ends of the legs are joined to form a support for the eye-piece housing. A stage is supported by a central portion of the base for vertical adjustment and a single beam-splitting prism is carried by the eye-piece housing, the latter having a pair of diverging eye-piece tubes, each having mirrors cooperating with the prism.