This disclosure relates generally to methods and agents for assessing T-cell function and for predicting responses to therapy. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and agents for detecting different forms of Eomesodermin (EOMES) in T-cells, which are useful for assessing the function of a T-cell, for assessing the immune function of a subject, for predicting the likelihood of response of a cancer patient to therapy including immunotherapy, for stratifying a cancer patient as a likely responder or non-responder to a therapy, and for managing treatment of a cancer patient.

Disclosed herein are devices, systems, and methods for analyte sensing with optothermally generated bubbles in biphasic liquid samples.

There is provided an information provision method for providing support information for supporting a judgement based on information obtained from a tissue section. The method includes: obtaining a digital bright-field image of a tissue section stained to be observable in a bright field; creating an analysis score by obtaining, combining, and scoring multiple kinds of information on the bright-field image; and presenting the analysis score as the support information.

Providing a method of estimating the number of microparticles such as microorganisms in a sample, without performing complicated operations. The method comprises counting by constant flow the number of target microorganisms contained in the sample at a predetermined flow rate, sectioning measurement data obtained as a result of the constant flow counting into a predetermined number of sections by a predetermined unit time for a section, counting the number of sections in which microorganisms are detected and the number of sections in which they are not detected, in the predetermined number of sections; and estimating the number of microorganisms in the sample, by a statistical method from the flow rate of the sample in the constant flow counting step, the predetermined number of sections and the predetermined unit time in the sectioning step, and the number of sections in which microorganisms are detected in the counting step.

Providing a method of estimating the number of microparticles such as microorganisms in a sample, without performing complicated operations. The method comprises counting by constant flow the number of target microorganisms contained in the sample at a predetermined flow rate, sectioning measurement data obtained as a result of the constant flow counting into a predetermined number of sections by a predetermined unit time for a section, counting the number of sections in which microorganisms are detected and the number of sections in which they are not detected, in the predetermined number of sections; and estimating the number of microorganisms in the sample, by a statistical method from the flow rate of the sample in the constant flow counting step, the predetermined number of sections and the predetermined unit time in the sectioning step, and the number of sections in which microorganisms are detected in the counting step.

Method of assaying for an analyte in a sample, and kits for performing the assay.

The present invention provides a device for isolating target biomolecules or cells from samples, particularly biological samples. In particular, the device comprises a loading mixture, which contains the biological sample and a first binding entity that specifically binds to the target biomolecule or target cell; and a micro-channel coated with a second binding entity that binds directly or indirectly to the first binding entity. Methods of capturing, detecting, and/or evaluating target biomolecules or target cells (e.g. cancer cells) in biological samples are also disclosed.

The present invention provides a device for isolating target biomolecules or cells from samples, particularly biological samples. In particular, the device comprises a loading mixture, which contains the biological sample and a first binding entity that specifically binds to the target biomolecule or target cell; and a micro-channel coated with a second binding entity that binds directly or indirectly to the first binding entity. Methods of capturing, detecting, and/or evaluating target biomolecules or target cells (e.g. cancer cells) in biological samples are also disclosed.

Provided herein are methods for detecting an antigen or for detecting expression of a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). The methods include obtaining a sample from a subject, contacting the sample with a fusion protein comprising a reporter fused to a single chain antibody specific to the antigen or fused to an extracellular domain of an antigen targeted by the CAR or fused to Protein L and assaying the activity of the reporter, wherein presence of reporter activity or increase in reporter activity relative to a reference value is indicative of presence of the antigen or presence of the expression of the chimeric antigen receptor in the sample.

Processes for quantifying an amount of functional groups immobilized on a solid support are described herein. The processes allow for determining whether sufficient functional groups are provided on a solid support for the attachment of a first binding pair member for the detection of a target analyte.