Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices and techniques associated with diagnostics, therapies, and other applications, including skin-associated applications, for example, devices for delivering and/or withdrawing fluid from subjects, e.g., through the skin. In some embodiments, the device includes a system for accessing an extractable medium from and/or through the skin of the subject at an access site, and a pressure regulator supported by a support structure, able to create a pressure differential across the skin at at least a portion of the access site. The device may also include, in some cases, a sensor supported by the support structure for determining at least one condition of the extractable medium from the subject, and optionally a signal generator supported by the support structure for generating a signal relating to the condition of the medium determined by the sensor.

Abstract: The present application provides immune cells comprising an HPV antigen and an adjuvant, methods of manufacturing such modified immune cells, and methods of using such modified immune cells for treating an HPV-associated disease, preventing an HPV-associated disease and/or for modulating an immune response in an individual with an HPV-associated disease.

Abstract: The present application provides formulations of enhanced antigen presenting cells (“enhanced APCs”), wherein the formulation comprises: the enhanced APCs comprising an antigen (e.g., a human papillomavirus (HPV) antigen) and one or more of the following: cryopreservation medium, hypothermic preservation medium, and human serum albumin. Also provided herein are methods of producing such formulations and the enhanced APCs.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a systems and methods for processing cells, and kits for use with such methods and processes. In some aspects, the system, methods, and processes can be used to produce cell therapeutics.

Abstract: The present application provides anucleate cells comprising a mutated Ras antigen (such as a mutated K-Ras antigen), methods of manufacturing such anucleate cells comprising the mutated Ras antigen, and methods of using such modified anucleate cells for stimulating an immune response, treating, and/or vaccinating an individual with a cancer associated with Ras mutation.

Abstract: The present application provides nucleated cells comprising a mutated Ras antigen (such as a mutated K-Ras antigen), methods of manufacturing such nucleated cells comprising the mutated Ras antigen, and methods of using such modified nucleated cells (e.g., immune cells) for stimulating an immune response, treating, and/or vaccinating an individual with a cancer associated with Ras mutation.

Abstract: A system for delivering a payload to a cell that includes: a platform supporting an input container, an output container, and a receiver for receiving all or part of a disposable assembly, the disposable assembly including a preparation vessel and a constriction cartridge. The preparation vessel holds a cell suspension as it is prepared for passage through one or more cell-deforming constrictions, and the constriction cartridge houses a component that includes the one or more cell deforming constrictions. Passage through the cell-deforming constrictions causes perturbations in cell membranes to allow entry of a payload into the cells. The system includes one or more processors configured to receive input from a user and to automatically control pressure, temperature, agitation, and/or flow of the cell suspension as it passes through the input container, through the preparation vessel, through the constriction cartridge, and to the output container.

Abstract: A system for delivering a payload to a cell that includes: a platform supporting an input container, an output container, and a receiver for receiving all or part of a disposable assembly, the disposable assembly including a preparation vessel and a constriction cartridge. The preparation vessel holds a cell suspension as it is prepared for passage through one or more cell-deforming constrictions, and the constriction cartridge houses a component that includes the one or more cell deforming constrictions. Passage through the cell-deforming constrictions causes perturbations in cell membranes to allow entry of a payload into the cells. The system includes one or more processors configured to receive input from a user and to automatically control pressure, temperature, agitation, and/or flow of the cell suspension as it passes through the input container, through the preparation vessel, through the constriction cartridge, and to the output container.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for inducing tolerance and/or suppressing an immune response to an antigen by passing a cell suspension containing an anucleate cell through a constriction, wherein the constriction deforms the cell thereby causing a perturbation of the cell such that an antigen and/or tolerogenic factor enters the cell. In some embodiments, the anucleate cell is delivered to an individual and the antigen is delivered to and processed in a tolerogenic environment to induce tolerance and/or suppress an immune response to the antigen.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for inducing tolerance and/or suppressing an immune response to an antigen by passing a cell suspension containing an anucleate cell through a constriction, wherein the constriction deforms the cell thereby causing a perturbation of the cell such that an antigen and/or tolerogenic factor enters the cell. In some embodiments, the anucleate cell is delivered to an individual and the antigen is delivered to and processed in a tolerogenic environment to induce tolerance and/or suppress an immune response to the antigen.

Abstract: The present application provides formulations of modified peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), wherein the formulation comprises: PBMCs comprising at least one antigen (e.g., a human papillomavirus (HPV) antigen) and a cryopreservation medium. In some embodiments, the PBMCs are conditioned by incubating the PBMC in the presence of an adjuvant.

Abstract: The present application provides T cells comprising an antigen and an adjuvant, methods of manufacturing such T cells, and methods of using such T cells, such as for modulating an immune response in an individual.

Abstract: The present application provides peripheral blood mononuclear cells comprising an antigen, methods of manufacturing such PBMCs, and methods of using such PBMCs, such as for modulating an immune response in an individual. In some embodiments, the PBMCs are conditioned by incubating the PBMC in the presence of an adjuvant.

Abstract: The present application provides peripheral blood mononuclear cells comprising an antigen, methods of manufacturing such PBMCs, and methods of using such PBMCs, such as for modulating an immune response in an individual. In some embodiments, the PBMCs are conditioned by incubating the PBMC in the presence of an adjuvant.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to methods for delivering a compound into a cell comprising a cell wall, including passing a cell suspension through a constriction, wherein said constriction deforms the cell comprising a cell wall, thereby causing a perturbation of the cell such that the compound enters the cell, wherein said cell suspension is contacted with the compound.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to receiving bodily fluid through a device opening. In one aspect, the device includes a flow activator arranged to cause fluid to be released from a subject. The flow activator may be actuated in a deployment direction by a deployment actuator, which may in turn cause fluid release from a subject. The flow activator may also be moved in a retraction direction by a retraction actuator. In one aspect, the device may include a vacuum source that may help facilitate fluid flow into the opening of the device and/or may help facilitate fluid flow from the opening to a storage chamber. In one aspect, an effector may enable fluid communication between the opening and the vacuum source and may do so in response to actuation of the flow activator.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for delivering and/or withdrawing a substance or substances such as blood or interstitial fluid, from subjects, e.g., from the skin and/or from beneath the skin. In one aspect, the present invention is generally directed to devices and methods for withdrawing or extracting blood from a subject, e.g., from the skin and/or from beneath the skin, using devices containing a fluid transporter (for example, one or more microneedles), and a storage chamber having an internal pressure less than atmospheric pressure prior to receiving blood. In some cases, the device may be self-contained, and in certain instances, the device can be applied to the skin, and activated to withdraw blood from the subject. The device, or a portion thereof, may then be processed to determine the blood and/or an analyte within the blood, alone or with an external apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for delivering and/or withdrawing a substance or substances such as blood or interstitial fluid, from subjects, e.g., from the skin and/or from beneath the skin. In one aspect, the present invention is generally directed to devices and methods for withdrawing or extracting blood from a subject, e.g., from the skin and/or from beneath the skin, using devices containing a fluid transporter (for example, one or more microneedles), and a storage chamber having an internal pressure less than atmospheric pressure prior to receiving blood. In some cases, the device may be self-contained, and in certain instances, the device can be applied to the skin, and activated to withdraw blood from the subject. The device, in some cases, may be interfaced with external equipment to determine an analyte contained within a fluid contained within or collected by the device.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to methods and devices for delivering a compound into a cell, including passing a cell suspension through a surface containing pores, wherein the pores deform the cell thereby causing a perturbation of the cell such that the compound enters the cell, wherein the cell suspension is contacted with the compound.

Abstract: The present application provides nucleated cells comprising a protein or fragment thereof, methods of manufacturing such nucleated cells comprising the protein or fragment thereof, and methods of using such modified nucleated cells (e.g., immune cells) for stimulating an immune response in a HLA agnostic manner.