Abstract: Systems, methods and kits are described for culturing one or more biological cells in a microfluidic device, including provision of nutrients and gaseous components configured to enhance cell growth, viability, portability, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, culturing a single cell may produce a clonal population in the microfluidic device.

Abstract: Proto-antigen-presenting surfaces and related kits, methods, and uses are provided. The proto-antigen-presenting surface can comprise a plurality of primary activating molecular ligands comprising a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule configured to bind to a T cell receptor (TCR) of a T cell and a plurality of co-activating molecular ligands each including a TCR co-activating molecule or an adjunct TCR activating molecule, wherein an exchange factor is bound to the MHC molecules. Exchange factors include, e.g., dipeptides such as GL, GF, GR, etc. Proto-antigen-presenting surfaces can be used to rapidly prepare antigen-presenting surfaces comprising one or more peptide antigens of interest by contacting the proto-antigen-presenting surface with one or more peptide antigens so as to displace the exchange factor. As such, the disclosure facilitates rapid evaluation of the immunogenicity of peptide antigens for activating T lymphocytes.

Abstract: Cartridge for manufacturing a population of cells suitable for formulation as a cellular therapeutic are disclosed herein, along with systems for operating the cartridges and performing methods to generate the population of cells suitable for formulation as a cellular therapeutic. The population of cells suitable for formulation as a cellular therapeutic can be T-cells, including CAR T-cells. The systems and methods can be largely automated.

Abstract: Systems, methods and kits are described for culturing one or more biological cells in a microfluidic device, including provision of nutrients and gaseous components configured to enhance cell growth, viability, portability, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, culturing a single cell may produce a clonal population in the microfluidic device.

Abstract: Cartridges for manufacturing a population of cells suitable for formulation as a cellular therapeutic are disclosed herein, along with systems and instruments for operating the cartridges and performing methods to generate the population of cells suitable for formulation as a cellular therapeutic. The population of cells suitable for formulation as a cellular therapeutic can be immunological cells, such as T lymphocytes, including endogenous T cells (ETCs), tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), CAR T-cells, TCR engineered T-cells, or otherwise engineered T-cells. The systems and methods can be largely automated.

Abstract: Systems, methods and kits are described for culturing one or more biological cells in a microfluidic device, including provision of nutrients and gaseous components configured to enhance cell growth, viability, portability, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, culturing a single cell may produce a clonal population in the microfluidic device.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the assay of secreted biomolecules using automated detection and characterization of micro-objects in a microfluidic device. The biomolecules can be secreted by cells, particularly immunological cells, such as T cells. The biomolecules being assayed can include cytokines, growth factors, and the like. Methods are also provided for assaying the cytotoxicity of a cell with respect to another, target cell. Also provided are kits and non-transitory computer-readable media in which programs are stored for causing a system comprising a computer to perform automated methods for detecting secreted biomolecules and/or cytotoxicity in a microfluidic device.

Abstract: Systems, methods and kits are described for culturing one or more biological cells in a microfluidic device, including provision of nutrients and gaseous components configured to enhance cell growth, viability, portability, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, culturing a single cell may produce a clonal population in the microfluidic device.

Abstract: In biosciences and related fields, it can be useful to modify surfaces of apparatuses, devices, and materials that contact biomaterials such as biomolecules and biological micro-objects. Described herein are surface modifying and surface functionalizing reagents, preparation thereof, and methods for modifying surfaces to activate T Lymphocytes.

Abstract: Proto-antigen-presenting surfaces and related kits, methods, and uses are provided. The proto-antigen-presenting surface can comprise a plurality of primary activating molecular ligands comprising a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule configured to bind to a T cell receptor (TCR) of a T cell and a plurality of of co-activating molecular ligands each including a TCR co-activating molecule or an adjunct TCR activating molecule, wherein an exchange factor is bound to the MHC molecules. Exchange factors include, e.g., dipeptides such as GL, GF, GR, etc. Proto-antigen-presenting surfaces can be used to rapidly prepare antigen-presenting surfaces comprising one or more peptide antigens of interest by contacting the proto-antigen-presenting surface with one or more peptide antigens so as to displace the exchange factor. As such, the disclosure facilitates rapid evaluation of the immunogenicity of peptide antigens for activating T lymphocytes.

Abstract: Methods of expanding T lymphocytes in a microfluidic device are provided. The methods can include introducing one or more T lymphocytes into a microfluidic device; contacting the one or more T lymphocytes with an activating agent; and perfusing culture medium through the microfluidic device for a period of time sufficient to allow the one or more T lymphocytes to undergo at least one round of mitotic cell division. The expansion can be non-specific or antigen-specific. T lymphocytes produced according to the disclosed methods are also provided, along with methods of treating cancer in a subject. The methods of treating cancer can include isolating T lymphocytes from a tissue sample obtained from the subject; expanding the isolated T lymphocytes in a microfluidic device; exporting the expanded T lymphocytes from the microfluidic device; and reintroducing the expanded T lymphocytes into the subject.