Abstract: The current invention relates to cell-cell interaction and in particular to cellular avidity. Provided are improved means and methods to study cell-cell interaction and characterizing cellular avidity. Varying forces were applied to cells of interest, that have interacted with target cells, was shown to have an effect on background binding. Hence, varying applied forces allows for the selection of optimal applied forces which is advantageous in means and methods relying on cellular avidity.

Abstract: The current invention relates to cell-cell interaction and in particular to cellular avidity. Provided are improved means and methods to study cell-cell interaction and characterizing cellular avidity. Highly advantageously, it was shown that cellular avidity methods allowed to differentiate between expression levels or copy numbers of receptors of interest. Hence, improved means and methods for characterizing receptors of interest are provided, for modulating cellular avidity, and for enrichment of cells as well.

Abstract: A method is provided, comprising the steps of: providing a sample holder (300) having a flow channel (310) extending between a channel inlet (320) at an opening side (OS) and a channel outlet (320) at the opening side (OS) and defining a ceiling (312) associated with the opening side (OS); loading, in an upright orientation of the sample holder (300) in which the opening side (OS) is upward, the flow channel (310) with a liquid containing first cellular objects (330); forming a layer of the first cellular objects on the ceiling, comprising—inverting the sample holder into an upside-down orientation, and—incubating the first cellular objects for a defined period in the upside-down orientation to promote binding of least some of the cellular objects to the ceiling; and arranging, after the incubation, the sample holder in the upright orientation for a further use. Associated sample holders are also provided.

Abstract: The current invention relates to cell-cell interaction and in particular to cellular avidity. Provided are improved means and methods to study cell-cell interaction and characterizing cellular avidity. When target cells were prepared on a coated surface, and subsequently allowed to interact with cells, background binding can be observed. The current inventors sought to improve, i.e. reduce, background binding and found highly advantages blocking compounds that are an improvement over blocking compounds commonly used.

Abstract: The current invention relates to cell-cell interaction and in particular to cellular avidity. Provided are improved means and methods to study cell-cell interaction and characterizing cellular avidity, in particular from heterogeneous cell populations. Means and methods are provided which allows for the screening and identification of cells, carrying defined receptors while at the same time determining cellular avidity. This way, highly advantages methods can be provided that allow efficient screening of libraries or heterogeneous cell population for identifying for example receptors of interest.

Abstract: A method of excitation microscopy, in particular STimulated Emission Depletion (STED) microscopy, ins provided which comprises: providing a sample; trapping an object in the sample at a trapping position, in particular by applying a position dependent trapping force to the object; positioning, in particular focusing, a depletion beam at an interaction position in the sample for illumination of a portion of the sample associated with the trapped object.

Abstract: A method for collecting one or more cellular bodies in dependence on their binding force with a sample surface is disclosed. The method comprises providing a sample holder comprising a holding space. The holding space comprises, e.g. is substantially filled with, a fluid medium and comprises the sample surface and the one or more cellular bodies in the fluid medium. Further, the one or more cellular bodies are contacting said sample surface. The method also comprises rotating the sample holder around an axis of rotation for causing a centrifugal force on the one or more cellular bodies herewith separating the one or more cellular bodies from the sample surface. The method also comprises collecting the separated one or more cellular bodies. Also, a method for detection cellular bodies is described. This disclosure further relates to corresponding systems, computer-implemented methods, computer programs and computer-readable storage media having stored such computer programs.

Abstract: A method of excitation microscopy, in particular STimulated Emission Depletion (STED) microscopy,ins provided which comprises: providing a sample; trapping an object in the sample at a trapping position, in particular by applying a position dependent trapping force to the object; positioning, in particular focusing, a depletion beam at an interaction position in the sample for illumination of a portion of the sample associated with the trapped object.

Abstract: A method for probing mechanical properties of cellular bodies includes: providing a plurality of particles in a fluid medium contained in a holding space of a sample holder, each of the plurality of particle being attached to a cellular body; generating a resonant bulk acoustic wave in the holding space, the resonant bulk acoustic wave exerting an acoustic force on each of the plurality of particles, each of the plurality of particles having an acoustic contrast factor and a size, the acoustic contrast factor and the size being selected such that the force exerted on a particle is larger than the force exerted on the cellular body to which the particle is attached; measuring a displacement of a particle in response to the exertion of the force on the particle, the measured displacement being associated with a mechanical property of the cellular body attached to the particle.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can be provided that can efficiently detect the amplitude and phase of a spectral modulation. Such exemplary scheme can be combined with self-interference fluorescence to facilitate a highly sensitive depth localization of self-interfering radiation generated within a sample. The exemplary system and method can facilitate a scan-free depth sensitivity within the focal depth range for microscopy, endoscopy and nanoscopy.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can be provided that can efficiently detect the amplitude and phase of a spectral modulation. Such exemplary scheme can be combined with self-interference fluorescence to facilitate a highly sensitive depth localization of self-interfering radiation generated within a sample. The exemplary system and method can facilitate a scan-free depth sensitivity within the focal depth range for microscopy, endoscopy and nanoscopy.

Abstract: Exemplary apparatus and/or method can be provided using which, it is possible to provide information associated with at least one portion of a sample. For example, at least one electro-magnetic radiation received from the at least one portion of the sample can be separated into a plurality of first radiations, one of the first radiations having a phase delay that is different from a phase delay of another of the first radiations. In addition, at least one of the first radiations can be received and separated into second radiations according to wavelengths of the received at least one of the first radiations. Further, it is possible to detect the second radiations and generate information regarding a position of the at least one portion of the sample as a function of at least one characteristic of at least one interference of the first radiations.

Abstract: Exemplary apparatus and/or method can be provided using which, it is possible to provide information associated with at least one portion of a sample. For example, at least one electro-magnetic radiation received from the at least one portion of the sample can be separated into a plurality of first radiations, one of the first radiations having a phase delay that is different from a phase delay of another of the first radiations. In addition, at least one of the first radiations can be received and separated into second radiations according to wavelengths of the received at least one of the first radiations. Further, it is possible to detect the second radiations and generate information regarding a position of the at least one portion of the sample as a function of at least one characteristic of at least one interference of the first radiations.