Abstract: The invention generally relates to mass tag analysis for rare cells and cell free molecules. In certain embodiments, the invention provides an apparatus including an essentially non-absorbent membrane having at least one pore, a microwell operably associated with the essentially non-absorbent membrane, and an electric field generator. The apparatus may be configured such that an electric field produced by the electric field generator operably interacts with a sample in the microwell and expels a droplet of the sample through the at least one pore in the essentially non-absorbent membrane. In certain embodiments, apparatuses of the invention are used for detection, and optionally quantification, of a target analyte from a heterogeneous sample, such as a rare target analyte (e.g., rare cell) from a biological sample.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to mass tag analysis for rare cells and cell free molecules. In certain embodiments, the invention provides an apparatus including an essentially non-absorbent membrane having at least one pore, a microwell operably associated with the essentially non-absorbent membrane, and an electric field generator. The apparatus may be configured such that an electric field produced by the electric field generator operably interacts with a sample in the microwell and expels a droplet of the sample through the at least one pore in the essentially non-absorbent membrane. In certain embodiments, apparatuses of the invention are used for detection, and optionally quantification, of a target analyte from a heterogeneous sample, such as a rare target analyte (e.g., rare cell) from a biological sample.

Abstract: Particles are released from a particle-containing area of a first surface of a porous matrix. The particle-containing area is contacted with a liquid medium and sonic energy is applied to an opposing area on a second surface of the porous matrix, wherein the opposing area is opposite to the particle-containing area. The particles may be biological particles or non-biological particles.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to charged mass label compositions and methods of use thereof for detecting a target analyte in a sample. In certain aspects, the invention provides a charged mass label composition including an affinity reagent, and a mass label precursor bound to the affinity reagent. The mass label precursor includes a label binding unit and a mass label. The label binding unit reversibly binds the mass label to the affinity reagent. The mass label includes a charge unit and a mass label unit having a pre-defined mass-to-charge-value in a mass spectrum.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to charged mass label compositions and methods of use thereof for detecting a target analyte in a sample. In certain aspects, the invention provides a charged mass label composition including an affinity reagent, and a mass label precursor bound to the affinity reagent. The mass label precursor includes a label binding unit and a mass label. The label binding unit reversibly binds the mass label to the affinity reagent. The mass label includes a charge unit and a mass label unit having a pre-defined mass-to-charge-value in a mass spectrum.

Abstract: A cell response assay for cancer is provided. In the assay, the levels of a cancer cell type biomarker, a chemo resistance biomarker and a metastatic potential biomarker are simultaneously measured in a biological sample.

Abstract: A concentrated sample having enhanced concentration of the one or more different populations of target rare molecules is incubated with, for each different population of target rare molecules, a particulate or non-particulate affinity agent that comprises a specific binding partner that is specific for and binds to a target rare molecule. The affinity agent comprises a mass spectrometry (MS) label precursor or a first alteration agent, which either facilitates the formation of an MS label from the MS label precursor or releases an entity that comprises the MS label precursor from the affinity agent. The MS label corresponds to one of the populations of target rare molecules. A second alteration agent is employed if the first alteration agent does not facilitate the formation of an MS label from the MS label precursor. MS analysis is used to determine each different MS label.

Abstract: There is provided a system (10) and method (100) for improving ICC and/or ISH rare cell detection by lowering background noise and providing enhanced detection of rare cells (15). In an embodiment, background noise for an ICC and/or an ISH rare cell detection assay is reduced and rare cell signaling is enhanced via feedback control. To accomplish the feedback control, an electronic control circuit (24) can direct a fluid delivery apparatus (18) to add an adjustment amount to account for fluid loss in the system (10) when fluid loss is indicated.

Abstract: Nucleic acids in non-rare cells in a sample containing non-rare cells and rare cells are selectively released from the non-rare cells. The sample is combined with an aqueous medium, and the combination is held for a period of time and at a temperature for selectively releasing nucleic acids from the non-rare cells but not from the rare cells. The sample is subjected to filtration to separate rare cells from non-rare cells. Rare cells with intact nucleic acids are separated from non-rare cells and nucleic acids from the non-rare cells. Nucleic acids from the rare cells are subjected to one or more identification techniques either with or without extraction of nucleic acids from the rare cells.

Abstract: A cell response assay for cancer is provided. In the assay, the levels of a cancer cell type biomarker, a chemo resistance biomarker and a metastatic potential biomarker are simultaneously measured in a biological sample.

Abstract: A ratio of rare cells to non-rare cells in a blood sample suspected of containing rare cells and non-rare cells is enhanced. A treated blood sample is prepared by providing in combination the blood sample, a platelet deactivation agent, a fibrin-formation-arresting agent and fibrin in an amount sufficient to cause a predetermined level of agglutination of the rare cells. The treated blood sample is then contacted with a porous matrix such that agglutinated rare cells are preferentially retained on the porous matrix. The rare cells may then be identified.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to charged mass label compositions and methods of use thereof for detecting a target analyte in a sample. In certain aspects, the invention provides a charged mass label composition including an affinity reagent, and a mass label precursor bound to the affinity reagent. The mass label precursor includes a label binding unit and a mass label. The label binding unit reversibly binds the mass label to the affinity reagent. The mass label includes a charge unit and a mass label unit having a pre-defined mass-to-charge-value in a mass spectrum.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to mass tag analysis for rare cells and cell free molecules. In certain embodiments, the invention provides an apparatus including an essentially non-absorbent membrane having at least one pore, a microwell operably associated with the essentially non-absorbent membrane, and an electric field generator. The apparatus may be configured such that an electric field produced by the electric field generator operably interacts with a sample in the microwell and expels a droplet of the sample through the at least one pore in the essentially non-absorbent membrane. In certain embodiments, apparatuses of the invention are used for detection, and optionally quantification, of a target analyte from a heterogeneous sample, such as a rare target analyte (e.g., rare cell) from a biological sample.

Abstract: A cell response assay for cancer is provided. In the assay, the levels of a cancer cell type biomarker, a chemo resistance biomarker and a metastatic potential biomarker are simultaneously measured in a biological sample.

Abstract: Nucleic acids in non-rare cells in a sample containing non-rare cells and rare cells are selectively released from the non-rare cells. The sample is combined with an aqueous medium, and the combination is held for a period of time and at a temperature for selectively releasing nucleic acids from the non-rare cells but not from the rare cells. The sample is subjected to filtration to separate rare cells from non-rare cells. Rare cells with intact nucleic acids are separated from non-rare cells and nucleic acids from the non-rare cells. Nucleic acids from the rare cells are subjected to one or more identification techniques either with or without extraction of nucleic acids from the rare cells.

Abstract: There is provided a system (10) and method (100) for improving ICC and/or ISH rare cell detection by lowering background noise and providing enhanced detection of rare cells (15). In an embodiment, background noise for an ICC and/or an ISH rare cell detection assay is reduced and rare cell signaling is enhanced via feedback control. To accomplish the feedback control, an electronic control circuit (24) can direct a fluid delivery apparatus (18) to add an adjustment amount to account for fluid loss in the system (10) when fluid loss is indicated.

Abstract: A concentrated sample having enhanced concentration of the one or more different populations of target rare molecules is incubated with, for each different population of target rare molecules, a particulate or non-particulate affinity agent that comprises a specific binding partner that is specific for and binds to a target rare molecule. The affinity agent comprises a mass spectrometry (MS) label precursor or a first alteration agent, which either facilitates the formation of an MS label from the MS label precursor or releases an entity that comprises the MS label precursor from the affinity agent. The MS label corresponds to one of the populations of target rare molecules. A second alteration agent is employed if the first alteration agent does not facilitate the formation of an MS label from the MS label precursor. MS analysis is used to determine each different MS label.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of screening a patient sample in a circulating tumor cell assay for false positives as well as methods of performing a circulating tumor cell detection assay. Also provided herein are methods of simultaneously identifying, and methods of distinguishing between, a circulating tumor cell and a circulating endothelial cell in a patient sample. Methods of treating a patient with cancer comprising screening for false positives in a circulating tumor cell assay and administering to the patient an anti-cancer therapy are further provided.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for determining a level of endothelial disease in a subject. The methods comprise examining circulating endothelial cells from the subject for the presence of one or more coagulation factors and correlating an amount of circulating endothelial cells exhibiting one or more coagulation factors with the level of endothelial disease in the subject. Anti-coagulation factor therapy can then be administered to the subject to address the endothelial disease.

Abstract: Control cells include a stable intact cell and, on the surface of the stable intact cell, a plurality of different antigens. Each of the different antigens corresponds to an antigen of interest. The control cells are employed in methods of evaluating the efficacy of a biological procedure performed on a sample. The method comprises conducting the biological procedure in the presence of the control cells. The control cells are examined to determine the efficacy of the biological procedure.