Abstract: Dried dye reagent devices are provided. Aspects of the devices include a container having positioned therein one or more dried dye compositions that include one or more dyes stably associated with a high surface area solid support. Aspects of the invention further include methods of making and using the devices, e.g., in analyte detection applications, as well as kits containing the devices.

Abstract: Methods for obtaining a tuberculosis assessment in a subject are provided. Aspects of the methods include assaying a tuberculosis (TB) activated sample from the subject for at least one of: (i) CD154+ T cells; and (ii) T cells having a central memory phenotype, such as a CM1 phenotype, CM2 phenotype or a CM3 phenotype; to obtain a TB biomarker signature, and then deriving a tuberculosis assessment for the subject from the TB biomarker signature. Aspects of the invention further include reagents, devices, systems, and kits thereof that find use in practicing the subject methods are provided. The methods and compositions find use in a variety of applications, including TB diagnosis and monitoring of TB treatment.

Abstract: Dried dye reagent devices are provided. Aspects of the devices include a container having positioned therein one or more dried dye compositions that include one or more dyes stably associated with a high surface area solid support. Aspects of the invention further include methods of making and using the devices, e.g., in analyte detection applications, as well as kits containing the devices.

Abstract: Methods for obtaining a tuberculosis assessment in a subject are provided. Aspects of the methods include assaying a tuberculosis (TB) activated sample from the subject for at least one of: (i) CD154+ T cells; and (ii) T cells having a central memory phenotype, such as a CM1 phenotype, CM2 phenotype or a CM3 phenotype; to obtain a TB biomarker signature, and then deriving a tuberculosis assessment for the subject from the TB biomarker signature. Aspects of the invention further include reagents, devices, systems, and kits thereof that find use in practicing the subject methods are provided. The methods and compositions find use in a variety of applications, including TB diagnosis and monitoring of TB treatment.

Abstract: Methods of determining whether a circulating tumor cell (CTC) marker, e.g., a CTC or fragment thereof, is present in a sample, such as a blood sample, are provided. Aspects of the methods include flow cytometrically assaying a fluorescently labeled sample that has been fluorescently labeled with a fluorescently labeled chlorotoxin binding member to determine whether a CTC marker is present in the sample. Also provided are compositions for practicing the methods. The methods and compositions find use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: Methods and materials for culturing primate-derived primordial stem cells are described. In one embodiment, a cell culture medium for growing primate-derived primordial stem cells in a substantially undifferentiated state is provided which includes a low osmotic pressure, low endotoxin basic medium that is effective to support the growth of primate-derived primordial stem cells. The basic medium is combined with a nutrient serum effective to support the growth of primate-derived primordial stem cells and a substrate selected from feeder cells and an extracellular matrix component derived from feeder cells. The medium further includes non-essential amino acids, an anti-oxidant, and a first growth factor selected from nucleosides and a pyruvate salt.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a system for producing pancreatic islet cells from embryonic stem cells. Differentiation is initiated towards endoderm cells, and focused using reagents that promote emergence of islet precursors and mature insulin-secreting cells. High quality populations of islet cells can be produced in commercial quantities for use in research, drug screening, or regenerative medicine.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a system for obtaining genetically altered primate pluripotent stem (pPS) cells. The role of the feeder cells is replaced by supporting the culture on an extracellular matrix, and culturing the cells in a conditioned medium. The cells can be genetically altered with a viral vector or DNA/lipid complex, and then selected for successful transfection by drug-resistant phenotype in the transfected cells. The system allows for bulk proliferation of genetically altered pPS cells as important products for use in human therapy or drug screening.

Abstract: This disclosure provides improved methods for obtaining populations of neural progenitor cells and differentiated neurons from pluripotent stem cells. The technology can be used to produce progenitors that proliferate through at least 40 doublings, while maintaining the ability to differentiate into a variety of different neural phenotypes. Cell populations have been obtained that contain a high proportion of cells staining for tyrosine hydroxylase, which is a feature of dopaminergic neurons. The neural progenitors and terminally differentiated neurons of this invention can be generated in large quantities for use in drug screening and the treatment of clinically important neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: Methods and materials for culturing primate-derived primordial stem cells are described. In one embodiment, a cell culture medium for growing primate-derived primordial stem cells in a substantially undifferentiated state is provided which includes a low osmotic pressure, low endotoxin basic medium that is effective to support the growth of primate-derived primordial stem cells. The basic medium is combined with a nutrient serum effective to support the growth of primate-derived primordial stem cells and a substrate selected from the group consisting of feeder cells and an extracellular matrix component derived from feeder cells. The medium further includes non-essential amino acids, an anti-oxidant, and a first growth factor selected from the group consisting of nucleosides and a pyruvate salt.

Abstract: Methods and materials for culturing primate-derived primordial stem cells are described. In one embodiment, a cell culture medium for growing primate-derived primordial stem cells in a substantially undifferentiated state is provided which includes a low osmotic pressure, low endotoxin basic medium that is effective to support the growth of primate-derived primordial stem cells. The basic medium is combined with a nutrient serum effective to support the growth of primate-derived primordial stem cells and a substrate selected from feeder cells and an extracellular matrix component derived from feeder cells. The medium further includes non-essential amino acids, an anti-oxidant, and a first growth factor selected from nucleosides and a pyruvate salt.