Abstract: A device for isolating and cultivating live cells on a filter or for extracting the genetic material thereof includes: a filter holder (108) connected to a filter; a compartment (102) having an upper opening and a lower opening; and an element (110) that is mobile relative to the compartment for applying a force on the holder and releasing the holder. According to the embodiments, the filter holder is mechanically connected to the compartment or to the mobile element until the application of the force. Preferably, the device further includes a removable end piece (104) tightly and removably attached and adapted for preventing the relative movement of the mobile element and the compartment for applying the force and releasing the holder.

Abstract: Methods and materials for increasing the number of target cells recovered from a fluid sample containing cells are described. The methods include isolating the target cells on a filter and then implanting the filter containing the target cells in an immunodeficient non-human animal, where at least some of the target cells can proliferate.

Abstract: The process for isolating live cells on a filter or extracting their genetic material. The process comprises the steps of attaching, at least temporarily, a filter to a lower opening of a compartment having, in addition, an air inlet; inserting into the compartment a liquid carrying the cells; and attaching, in an impermeable manner, a needle, at least temporarily, to the compartment opening, the filter being positioned between the needle and the interior volume of the compartment. The process further comprises the steps of perforation, with the needle, of a plug of a vacuum tube with negative pressure relative to ambient pressure; and aspiration, by means of negative pressure from the vacuum tube, of the liquid through the filter, the filter retaining the cells.

Abstract: The process for isolating live cells on a filter or extracting their genetic material. The process comprises the steps of attaching, at least temporarily, a filter to a lower opening of a compartment having, in addition, an air inlet; inserting into the compartment a liquid carrying the cells; and attaching, in an impermeable manner, a needle, at least temporarily, to the compartment opening, the filter being positioned between the needle and the interior volume of the compartment. The process further comprises the steps of perforation, with the needle, of a plug of a vacuum tube with negative pressure relative to ambient pressure; and aspiration, by means of negative pressure from the vacuum tube, of the liquid through the filter, the filter retaining the cells.

Abstract: A method for collecting cellular material from particular cells present in a liquid, that includes: a step (210) of inserting the liquid into a compartment (105) through an upper opening (106) in the compartment, the compartment having a lower opening (107) while between the openings is provided a filter (115) in which the micropores have a diameter between that of the particular cells and that of other cells; a filtration step (215) during which the major portion of the liquid and the other cells flows through the filter; a step (230) of DNA and/or RNA lysing and amplifying; and a step (250) of recovering on the filter the amplified genetic material.

Abstract: A device for isolating and cultivating live cells on a filter or for extracting the genetic material thereof includes: a filter holder (108) connected to a filter; a compartment (102) having an upper opening and a lower opening; and an element (110) that is mobile relative to the compartment for applying a force on the holder and releasing the holder. According to the embodiments, the filter holder is mechanically connected to the compartment or to the mobile element until the application of the force. Preferably, the device further includes a removable end piece (104) tightly and removably attached and adapted for preventing the relative movement of the mobile element and the compartment for applying the force and releasing the holder.

Abstract: Method for collecting cellular material of particular cells present in a liquid includes: a step (210) of introducing the liquid into a compartment via an upper opening of the compartment said compartment having a lower opening, a filter being positioned between the two openings which has micropores of a diameter intermediate between that of said particular cells and that of other cells, a filtering step (215) during which most of the liquid and most of the other cells pass through the filter, a step (230) of lysing the cells retained or: the filter and a step (245, 230) of collecting cellular material from the lysed cells, on the filter.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding human myeloblastin, a nucleic acid probe for detecting myeloblastin, and an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide complementary to myeloblastin mRNA. The invention also provides antibodies directed to myeloblastin, and purified myeloblastin. The invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition to inhibit proliferation and induce differentiation of leukemia cells, a myeloblastin inhibitor, and a factor suppressing myeloblastin expression. The invention provides methods for identifying leukemia cells which express different quantities of myeloblastin, treating leukemia, and for preparing purified myeloblastin.