A system is disclosed that enables the automated measurement of cellular mechanical parameters at high throughputs. The microfluidic device uses intersecting flows to create an extensional flow region where the cells undergo controlled stretching. Cells are focused into streamlines prior to entering the extensional flow region. In the extensional region, each cell's deformation is measured with an imaging device. Automated image analysis extracts a range of independent biomechanical parameters from the images. These may include cell size, deformability, and circularity. The single cell data that is obtained may then be used to in a variety of ways. Scatter density plots of deformability and circularity may be developed and displayed for the user. Mechanical parameters such as deformability and circularity may be gated or thresholded to identify certain cells of interest or sub-populations of interest. Similarly, the mechanical data obtained using the device may be used as cell signatures.

A system is disclosed that enables the automated measurement of cellular mechanical parameters at high throughputs. The microfluidic device uses intersecting flows to create an extensional flow region where the cells undergo controlled stretching. Cells are focused into streamlines prior to entering the extensional flow region. In the extensional region, each cell's deformation is measured with an imaging device. Automated image analysis extracts a range of independent biomechanical parameters from the images. These may include cell size, deformability, and circularity. The single cell data that is obtained may then be used to in a variety of ways. Scatter density plots of deformability and circularity may be developed and displayed for the user. Mechanical parameters such as deformability and circularity may be gated or thresholded to identify certain cells of interest or sub-populations of interest. Similarly, the mechanical data obtained using the device may be used as cell signatures.

Some embodiments disclosed herein provide a plurality of compositions each comprising a protein binding reagent conjugated with an oligonucleotide. The oligonucleotide comprises a unique identifier for the protein binding reagent it is conjugated with, and the protein binding reagent is capable of specifically binding to a protein target. Further disclosed are methods and kits for quantitative analysis of a plurality of protein targets in a sample and for simultaneous quantitative analysis of protein and nucleic acid targets in a sample. Also disclosed herein are systems and methods for preparing a labeled biomolecule reagent, including a labeled biomolecule agent comprising a protein binding reagent conjugated with an oligonucleotide.

Some embodiments disclosed herein provide a plurality of compositions each comprising a protein binding reagent conjugated with an oligonucleotide. The oligonucleotide comprises a unique identifier for the protein binding reagent it is conjugated with, and the protein binding reagent is capable of specifically binding to a protein target. Further disclosed are methods and kits for quantitative analysis of a plurality of protein targets in a sample and for simultaneous quantitative analysis of protein and nucleic acid targets in a sample. Also disclosed herein are systems and methods for preparing a labeled biomolecule reagent, including a labeled biomolecule agent comprising a protein binding reagent conjugated with an oligonucleotide.

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for identifying targets for distinguishing cell types. In some embodiments, the method comprises: hierarchically clustering expression profiles of cells to generate a dendrogram with each leaf representing the expression profile of a different individual cell. The dendrogram can be pruned by eliminating invalid splits (and their children). The remaining leaves in the dendrogram can be merged, independent of their locations in the dendrogram, based on their distances to one another to generate clusters of expression profiles. The method can identify targets for distinguishing cell types based on targets that are expressed differentially in the clusters.

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for identifying targets for distinguishing cell types. In some embodiments, the method comprises: hierarchically clustering expression profiles of cells to generate a dendrogram with each leaf representing the expression profile of a different individual cell. The dendrogram can be pruned by eliminating invalid splits (and their children). The remaining leaves in the dendrogram can be merged, independent of their locations in the dendrogram, based on their distances to one another to generate clusters of expression profiles. The method can identify targets for distinguishing cell types based on targets that are expressed differentially in the clusters.

A system for sharing consumable inventory in a laboratory management system includes a middleware software component controlled by a processor, a plurality of instruments operatively coupled to the middleware software component, and a consumable item to be removably installed in a first selected instrument. The consumable item is used by the first selected instrument to perform tests, where the first selected instrument partially depletes the consumable item. The first selected instrument is to update status and usage information regarding the consumable item. A consumables database is operatively coupled to the middleware software component and the processor is to store the updated status and usage information in the consumables database corresponding to the consumable item. The consumables database is accessible by the plurality of instruments such that a second selected instrument performs tests using the partially depleted consumable item, based on the corresponding updated status and usage information.

A system for sharing consumable inventory in a laboratory management system includes a middleware software component controlled by a processor, a plurality of instruments operatively coupled to the middleware software component, and a consumable item to be removably installed in a first selected instrument. The consumable item is used by the first selected instrument to perform tests, where the first selected instrument partially depletes the consumable item. The first selected instrument is to update status and usage information regarding the consumable item. A consumables database is operatively coupled to the middleware software component and the processor is to store the updated status and usage information in the consumables database corresponding to the consumable item. The consumables database is accessible by the plurality of instruments such that a second selected instrument performs tests using the partially depleted consumable item, based on the corresponding updated status and usage information.

The present disclosure provides gene and gene sets, the expression of which is important in the classification and/or prognosis of cancer, in particular of renal cell carcinoma.

The present disclosure provides gene and gene sets, the expression of which is important in the classification and/or prognosis of cancer, in particular of renal cell carcinoma.