Abstract: Disclosed are methods for reducing the immunosuppressive effect of myelin derived suppressor cells in adoptive cell therapy.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for expanding tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and driving TILs towards a memory T cell phenotype. Also disclosed is the creation of a mouse model to investigate adoptive cell therapy using TILs.

Abstract: Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are immune cells that have left the bloodstream and migrated into a tumor. TILs have been used in autologous adoptive transfer therapy for the treatment of cancer. Disclosed are methods for rapidly expanding tumor infiltrating lymphocytes using digested tumor cells. Further, wherein the expanded TIL population also has enriched tumor specificity.

Abstract: Disclosed are artificial antigen presenting cells (aAPCs) and the use of said aAPC in the creation of a universal T cell potency assays; such assays comprising a) obtaining a population of cells comprising T cells (including, but not limited CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, chimeric antigen receptor T cells, and/or a population of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs); b) culturing the population of T cells with a population of MHC class 1/MHC class II negative artificial antigen presenting cells (aAPC) comprising one or more membrane bound antigen binding molecules (such as, for example antigen binding molecule that specifically bind CD3, CD28, and/or 4-1BBL including, but not limited to antibodies, diabodies, nanobodies, and/or antibody fragments (including, but not limited to scFv) that specifically bind CD3, CD28, and/or 4-1BBL); and c) detecting cytolytic action of the T cells (such as, for example, by ELISpot, ELISA, 51Cr release, intracellular cytokine stain, or flow cytometry).

Abstract: In one aspect, disclosed herein are methods of expanding tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in vitro or ex vivo comprising obtaining TILs and culturing the TILs in media comprising one or more CD40 agonists (such as, for example, a CD40 ligand (CD40L) and/or anti-CD40 antibody).

Abstract: Systems and methods for shielded fluid transfer are provided. A fluid transfer shield is provided to facilitate transferring fluid from a first container to a secondary container. The fluid transfer shield includes a shield having an exterior and defining an interior space, a first port extending from the exterior of the shield, the first port configured to be fluidly coupled to the first container, and a second port extending opposite the first port and into the interior space of the shield so that the shield laterally surrounds the second port, the second port configured to be fluidly coupled to the secondary container. A passageway is provided that extends between the first port and the second port to fluidly couple the first container and the secondary container when the first container is fluidly coupled to the first port and the secondary container is fluidly coupled to the second port.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a tethered optical imaging probe configured to be integrated into an optical system for medical diagnosis are provided. In one configuration, the present disclosure provides a tethered optical imaging probe including a motor arranged within a swallowable capsule. A rotational speed of the motor is actively controlled by a feedback signal.

Abstract: Cycloaliphatic polyester polyols and processes for making them from thermoplastic polyesters are disclosed. One process comprises heating a thermoplastic polyester with a glycol to give a digested intermediate and hydrogenating aromatic rings in the digested intermediate to produce the cycloaliphatic polyester polyol. Optionally, the digested intermediate is reacted with a hydrophobe to give a modified polyol prior to hydrogenation, and the modified polyol is hydrogenated to give the cycloaliphatic polyester polyol. The high-recycle-content cycloaliphatic polyester polyols have desirable attributes for formulating polyurethane dispersions, two-component polyurethane coatings, mono- or poly(meth)acrylates, polyisocyanurates, flexible and rigid foams, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers, and they provide a sustainable alternative to petrochemical-based polyols.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a tethered optical imaging probe configured to be integrated into an optical system for medical diagnosis are provided. In one configuration, the present disclosure provides a tethered optical imaging probe including a motor arranged within a swallowable capsule. A rotational speed of the motor is actively controlled by a feedback signal.

Abstract: Cycloaliphatic polyester polyols and processes for making them from thermoplastic polyesters are disclosed. One process comprises heating a thermoplastic polyester with a glycol to give a digested intermediate and hydrogenating aromatic rings in the digested intermediate to produce the cycloaliphatic polyester polyol. Optionally, the digested intermediate is reacted with a hydrophobe to give a modified polyol prior to hydrogenation, and the modified polyol is hydrogenated to give the cycloaliphatic polyester polyol. The high-recycle-content cycloaliphatic polyester polyols have desirable attributes for formulating polyurethane dispersions, two-component polyurethane coatings, mono- or poly(meth)acrylates, polyisocyanurates, flexible and rigid foams, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers, and they provide a sustainable alternative to petrochemical-based polyols.

Abstract: Cycloaliphatic polyester polyols and processes for making them from thermoplastic polyesters are disclosed. One process comprises heating a thermoplastic polyester with a glycol to give a digested intermediate and hydrogenating aromatic rings in the digested intermediate to produce the cycloaliphatic polyester polyol. Optionally, the digested intermediate is reacted with a hydrophobe to give a modified polyol prior to hydrogenation, and the modified polyol is hydrogenated to give the cycloaliphatic polyester polyol. The high-recycle-content cycloaliphatic polyester polyols have desirable attributes for formulating polyurethane dispersions, two-component polyurethane coatings, mono- or poly(meth)acrylates, polyisocyanurates, flexible and rigid foams, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers, and they provide a sustainable alternative to petrochemical-based polyols.

Abstract: Cycloaliphatic polyester polyols and processes for making them from thermoplastic polyesters are disclosed. One process comprises heating a thermoplastic polyester with a glycol to give a digested intermediate and hydrogenating aromatic rings in the digested intermediate to produce the cycloaliphatic polyester polyol. Optionally, the digested intermediate is reacted with a hydrophobe to give a modified polyol prior to hydrogenation, and the modified polyol is hydrogenated to give the cycloaliphatic polyester polyol. The high-recycle-content cycloaliphatic polyester polyols have desirable attributes for formulating polyurethane dispersions, two-component polyurethane coatings, mono- or poly(meth)acrylates, polyisocyanurates, flexible and rigid foams, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers, and they provide a sustainable alternative to petrochemical-based polyols.