Abstract: Systems, methods and kits are described for culturing one or more biological cells in a microfluidic device, including provision of nutrients and gaseous components configured to enhance cell growth, viability, portability, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, culturing a single cell may produce a clonal population in the microfluidic device.

Abstract: In biosciences and related fields, it can be useful to modify surfaces of apparatuses, devices, and materials that contact biomaterials such as biomolecules and biological micro-objects. Described herein are surface modifying and surface functionalizing reagents, preparation thereof, and methods for modifying surfaces to activate T Lymphocytes.

Abstract: Methods are described herein for screening an antibody producing cell within a microfluidic environment. The antibody producing cell may be a B cell lymphocyte, which may be a memory B cell or a plasma cell. An antigen of interest may be brought into proximity with the antibody producing cell and binding of the antigen by an antibody produced by the antibody producing cell may be monitored. Methods of obtaining a sequencing library from an antibody producing cell are also described.

Abstract: Systems, methods and kits are described for culturing one or more biological cells in a microfluidic device, including provision of nutrients and gaseous components configured to enhance cell growth, viability, portability, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, culturing a single cell may produce a clonal population in the microfluidic device.

Abstract: Proto-antigen-presenting surfaces and related kits, methods, and uses are provided. The proto-antigen-presenting surface can comprise a plurality of primary activating molecular ligands comprising a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule configured to bind to a T cell receptor (TCR) of a T cell and a plurality of co-activating molecular ligands each including a TCR co-activating molecule or an adjunct TCR activating molecule, wherein an exchange factor is bound to the MHC molecules. Exchange factors include, e.g., dipeptides such as GL, GF, GR, etc. Proto-antigen-presenting surfaces can be used to rapidly prepare antigen-presenting surfaces comprising one or more peptide antigens of interest by contacting the proto-antigen-presenting surface with one or more peptide antigens so as to displace the exchange factor. As such, the disclosure facilitates rapid evaluation of the immunogenicity of peptide antigens for activating T lymphocytes.

Abstract: A method of processing and storing biological cells includes introducing a flowable medium into a microfluidic device, the flowable medium including biological cells; sequestering one or more biological cells from the flowable medium in one or more isolation regions of the microfluidic device; and freezing the microfluidic device including the one or more biological cells sequestered therein.

Abstract: Biological activity in holding pens in a micro-fluidic device can be assayed by placing in the holding pens capture objects that bind a particular material of interest produced by the biological activity. The biological material of interest that binds to each capture object can then be assessed, either in the micro-fluidic device or after exporting the capture object from the micro-fluidic device. The assessment can be utilized to characterize the biological activity in each holding pen. The biological activity can be production of the biological material of interest. Thus, the biological activity can correspond to or arise from one or more biological cells. Biological cells within a holding pen can be clonal cell colonies. The biological activity of each clonal cell colony can be assayed while maintaining the clonal status of each colony.

Abstract: A method of preparing an antibody therapeutic is provided comprising: (a) providing a dissociated cell sample from at least one solid tumor sample obtained from a patient; (b) loading the dissociated cell sample into a microfluidic device having a flow region and at least one isolation region fluidically connected to the flow region; (c) moving at least one B cell from the dissociated cell sample into at least one isolation region in the microfluidic device, thereby obtaining at least one isolated B cell; and (d) using the microfluidic device to identify at least one B cell that produces antibodies capable of binding to cancer cells. The cancer cells can be the patient's own cancer cells. Also provided are methods of treating patients, methods of labeling or detecting cancer, engineered T or NK cells comprising antibodies or fragments thereof, and engineered antibody constructs.

Abstract: Individual biological micro-objects can be deterministically selected and moved into holding pens in a micro-fluidic device. A flow of a first liquid medium can be provided to the pens. Physical pens can be structured to impede a direct flow of the first medium into a second medium in the pens while allowing diffusive mixing of the first medium and the second medium. Virtual pens can allow a common flow of medium to multiple ones of the pens.

Abstract: Methods of sorting T lymphocytes in a microfluidic device are provided. The methods can include flowing a fluid sample comprising T lymphocytes through a region of a microfluidic device that contains an array of posts. The array of posts can be configured to have a critical size (Dc) that separates activated T lymphocytes from naïve T lymphocytes. Also provided are microfluidic devices having an array of posts configured to separate activated T lymphocytes from naïve T lymphocytes, compositions enriched for T lymphocytes, particularly activated T lymphocytes that are known to be reactive to an antigen of interest, and methods of treating subjects suffering from a pathogenic disorder or cancer by administering such compositions.

Abstract: Biological activity in holding pens in a micro-fluidic device can be assayed by placing in the holding pens capture objects that bind a particular material of interest produced by the biological activity. The biological material of interest that binds to each capture object can then be assessed, either in the micro-fluidic device or after exporting the capture object from the micro-fluidic device. The assessment can be utilized to characterize the biological activity in each holding pen. The biological activity can be production of the biological material of interest. Thus, the biological activity can correspond to or arise from one or more biological cells. Biological cells within a holding pen can be clonal cell colonies. The biological activity of each clonal cell colony can be assayed while maintaining the clonal status of each colony.

Abstract: Individual biological cells can be selected in a micro-fluidic device and moved into isolation pens in the device. The cells can then be lysed in the pens, releasing nucleic acid material, which can be captured by one or more capture objects in the pens. The capture objects with the captured nucleic acid material can then be removed from the pens. The capture objects can include unique identifiers, allowing each capture object to be correlated to the individual cell from which the nucleic acid material captured by the object originated.

Abstract: Systems, methods and kits are described for culturing one or more biological cells in a microfluidic device, including provision of nutrients and gaseous components configured to enhance cell growth, viability, portability, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, culturing a single cell may produce a clonal population in the microfluidic device.

Abstract: Systems, methods and kits are described for culturing one or more biological cells in a microfluidic device, including provision of nutrients and gaseous components configured to enhance cell growth, viability, portability, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, culturing a single cell may produce a clonal population in the microfluidic device.

Abstract: Individual biological cells can be selected in a micro-fluidic device and moved into isolation pens in the device. The cells can then be lysed in the pens, releasing nucleic acid material, which can be captured by one or more capture objects in the pens. The capture objects with the captured nucleic acid material can then be removed from the pens. The capture objects can include unique identifiers, allowing each capture object to be correlated to the individual cell from which the nucleic acid material captured by the object originated.

Abstract: Biological activity in holding pens in a micro-fluidic device can be assayed by placing in the holding pens capture objects that bind a particular material of interest produced by the biological activity. The biological material of interest that binds to each capture object can then be assessed, either in the micro-fluidic device or after exporting the capture object from the micro-fluidic device. The assessment can be utilized to characterize the biological activity in each holding pen. The biological activity can be production of the biological material of interest. Thus, the biological activity can correspond to or arise from one or more biological cells. Biological cells within a holding pen can be clonal cell colonies. The biological activity of each clonal cell colony can be assayed while maintaining the clonal status of each colony.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of preparing tumor infiltrating cells engineered to express a pro-inflammatory polypeptide. The pro-inflammatory polypeptide is expressed from the tumor infiltrating cell to counter a generally immunosuppressive state in and around tumors resulting from an imbalance between the number and activation state of immune effector cells versus those of suppressor cells. Delivering the proinflammatory polypeptide via expression from the TICs, as distinct from systemic administration, reduces side effects from increased inflammation at sides remote from a tumor to be treated.

Abstract: A method of processing and storing biological cells includes introducing a flowable medium into a microfluidic device, the flowable medium including biological cells; sequestering one or more biological cells from the flowable medium in one or more isolation regions of the microfluidic device; and freezing the microfluidic device including the one or more biological cells sequestered therein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for assaying binding affinity between a first molecule and a second molecule in a micro-fluidic device.

Abstract: A method of processing and storing biological cells includes introducing a flowable medium into a microfluidic device, the flowable medium including biological cells; sequestering one or more biological cells from the flowable medium in one or more isolation regions of the microfluidic device; and freezing the microfluidic device including the one or more biological cells sequestered therein.