Abstract: The invention provides anti-thiol reagents which inhibit enzyme activity of cell-associated protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) by oxidizing or blocking PDI active site vicinal thiol groups which normally participate in disulfide bond rearrangement of PDI substrates. Inhibition of this PDI function is particularly useful in blocking PDI-mediated entry of HIV or other virions into a host cell, as well as inhibiting lymphocyte traffic through the lymph nodes. The invention further provides an assay for the identification of such PDI inhibitors based on the discovery that inhibitors of the invention also induce shedding of the leucocyte L-selectin adhesion molecule. The invention additionally provides for suppression of inflammation and of lymph node entry by calmodulin antagonists that, like PDI inhibition, cause leukocyte L-selectin shedding.

Abstract: The present invention, provides a flow cytometry apparatus for the detection of particles from a plurality of samples comprising: means for moving a plurality of samples comprising particles from a plurality of respective source wells into a fluid flow stream; means for introducing a separation gas between each of the plurality of samples in the fluid flow stream; and means for selectively analyzing each of the plurality of samples for the particles. The present invention also provides a flow cytometry method employing such an apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention, provides a flow cytometry apparatus for the detection of particles from a plurality of samples comprising: means for moving a plurality of samples comprising particles from a plurality of respective source wells into a fluid flow stream; means for introducing a separation gas between each of the plurality of samples in the fluid flow stream; and means for selectively analyzing each of the plurality of samples for the particles. The present invention also provides a flow cytometry method employing such an apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention, provides a flow cytometry apparatus for the detection of particles from a plurality of samples comprising: means for moving a plurality of samples comprising particles from a plurality of respective source wells into a fluid flow stream; means for introducing a separation gas between each of the plurality of samples in the fluid flow stream; and means for selectively analyzing each of the plurality of samples for the particles. The present invention also provides a flow cytometry method employing such an apparatus.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates generally to design, synthesis, and characterization of materials with well-defined porous networks of molecular dimensions in which the size and surface energy of the pores can be externally and reversibly controlled to dynamically modulate the adsorption and transport of molecular species.

Abstract: The present invention provides functionalized mesoporous microspheres comprising a microsphere including surface mesopores; a lipid bilayer covering at least a portion of the microsphere; and enclosed mesoporous spaces comprising the surface mesopores and respective portions of the lipid bilayer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a general approach for G protein coupled receptors that may be used to define agonists and antagonists, and the specificity of receptor coupling to G protein subunits. Methods of the present invention use small volumes (microliters) and are compatible with high throughput flow cytometry. When assays of the present invention are multiplexed, the specificity of the interactions of a receptor with many G proteins may be determined simultaneously.

Abstract: The invention provides a reagentless assay kit for analyte in a sample comprising a modular affinity assembly including at least one sensor unit comprising a ligand having binding affinity for the analyte (affinity module) operatively associated with a reporter probe (reporter module) responsive to changes in the sensor unit induced by analyte/receptor complex formation by transduction of a characteristic detectable signal. Assays employing the modular assembly are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for mixing samples in-line in a microfluidic system, comprising methods of and means for introducing a first fluid sample into a flow-tube at a first end at a first velocity via a first conduit; methods of and means for introducing a second fluid sample into the flow-tube at the first end at a second velocity, the second velocity different from the first velocity, via a second conduit, wherein the first fluid sample and the second fluid sample converge in the flow tube to form an interface; whereby the first fluid sample and the second fluid sample mix at the interface within the flow-tube, wherein fluid flow at the first end of the flow-tube is laminar and fluid flow at a second end of the flow-tube is laminar, and wherein the flow-tube has a constant diameter between the first end and the second end of the flow-tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for drawing and supplying multiple samples for rapid processing in flow cytometry. The apparatus comprises a reciprocating valve and at least one syringe. The invention is also a method for rapidly processing multiple samples in flow cytometry using the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention provides anti-thiol reagents which inhibit enzyme activity of cell-associated protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) by oxidizing or blocking PDI active site vicinal thiol groups which normally participate in disulfide bond rearrangement of PDI substrates. Inhibition of this PDI function is particularly useful in blocking PDI-mediated entry of HIV or other virions into a host cell, as well as inhibiting lymphocyte traffic through the lymph nodes. The invention further provides an assay for the identification of such PDI inhibitors based on the discovery that inhibitors of the invention also induce shedding of the leucocyte L-selectin adhesion molecule. The invention additionally provides for suppression of inflammation and of lymph node entry by calmodulin antagonists that, like PDI inhibition, cause leukocyte L-selectin shedding.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus is provided comprising: first driving means for driving a plurality of reagent samples from a plurality of respective source wells into a first fluid flow stream; second driving means for introducing a separation gas between each of the plurality of reagent samples in the first fluid flow stream; means for driving a second fluid flow stream comprising a plurality of particles; a junction device comprising: a first inlet port for receiving the first fluid flow stream; a second inlet port for receiving the second fluid flow stream; a reaction zone for forcing mixing between the first fluid flow stream and the second fluid flow stream to thereby form a reaction product stream; and an outlet port for allowing the reaction product stream to exit the junction device; a reaction zone where the plurality of reagent samples and the plurality of particles mix to form a plurality of reaction products, the reaction zone communicating with the outlet port; reaction product driving means for driving the

Abstract: The present invention, provides a flow cytometry apparatus for the detection of particles from a plurality of samples comprising: means for moving a plurality of samples comprising particles from a plurality of respective source wells into a fluid flow stream; means for introducing a separation gas between each of the plurality of samples in the fluid flow stream; and means for selectively analyzing each of the plurality of samples for the particles. The present invention also provides a flow cytometry method employing such an apparatus.

Abstract: The invention provides anti-thiol reagents which inhibit enzyme activity of cell-associated protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) by oxidizing or blocking PDI active site vicinal thiol groups which normally participate in disulfide bond rearrangement of PDI substrates. Inhibition of this PDI function is particularly useful in blocking PDI-mediated entry of HIV or other virions into a host cell, as well as inhibiting lymphocyte traffic through the lymph nodes. The invention further provides an assay for the identification of such PDI inhibitors based on the discovery that inhibitors of the invention also induce shedding of the leucocyte L-selectin adhesion molecule. The invention additionally provides for suppression of inflammation and of lymph node entry by calmodulin antagonists that, like PDI inhibition, cause leukocyte L-selectin shedding.

Abstract: The present invention, provides a flow cytometry apparatus for the detection of particles from a plurality of samples comprising: means for moving a plurality of samples comprising particles from a plurality of respective source wells into a fluid flow stream; means for introducing a separation gas between each of the plurality of samples in the fluid flow stream; and means for selectively analyzing each of the plurality of samples for the particles. The present invention also provides a flow cytometry method employing such an apparatus.

Abstract: The invention provides anti-thiol reagents which inhibit enzyme activity of cell-associated protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) by oxidizing or blocking PDI active site vicinal thiol groups which normally participate in disulfide bond rearrangement of PDI substrates. Inhibition of this PDI function is particularly useful in blocking PDI-mediated entry of HIV or other virions into a host cell, as well as inhibiting lymphocyte traffic through the lymph nodes. The invention further provides an assay for the identification of such PDI inhibitors based on the discovery that inhibitors of the invention also induce shedding of the leucocyte L-selectin adhesion molecule.

Abstract: The invention provides a sensing device comprising: a vessel; a plurality of sensor beads located within the vessel to form interstitial spaces therethrough; and a plurality of biomolecules bound to at least at portion of the plurality of beads, each of the biomolecules having a fluorescent tag.

Abstract: An apparatus for drawing and supplying multiple samples for rapid processing in flow cytometry. The apparatus comprises a reciprocating valve and at least one syringe. The invention is also a method for rapidly processing multiple samples in flow cytometry using the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for drawing and supplying multiple samples for rapid processing in flow cytometry. The apparatus comprises a reciprocating valve and at least one syringe. The invention is also a method for rapidly processing multiple samples in flow cytometry using the apparatus.

Abstract: A flow cytometry method and system to regulate both the sheath and sample streams during the period of sample injection. The period of turbulence between the streams is reduced to approximately 100 milliseconds thereby allowing for focused measurement of cell associated fluorescence.