Methods for separating cells from a sample (e.g., separating fetal red blood cells from maternal blood) include introducing a sample including cells into one or more microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, the device includes at least two processing steps. For example, a mixture of cells is introduced into a microfluidic channel that selectively allows the passage of a desired type of cell, and the population of cells enriched in the desired type is then introduced into a second microfluidic channel that allows the passage of the desired cell to produce a population of cells further enriched in the desired type. The selection of cells is based on a property of the cells in the mixture, for example, size, shape, deformability, surface characteristics (e.g., cell surface receptors or antigens and membrane permeability), or intracellular properties (e.g., expression of a particular enzyme).

The disclosure provides methods for detecting circulating endothelial cells (CECs) that mimic CTCs with respect to aspects of their immuno fluorescent staining and with respect to aspects of their morphological characteristics (CTC mimics). The present disclosure is based, in part, on the unexpected discovery that CTC mimics can be detected in non-enriched blood samples among CTC candidate cells. The present disclosure is further based, in part, on the discovery that CTC mimics can be detected in non-enriched blood samples by combining the detection of one or more immunofluorescent markers in the nucleated cells of a non-enriched blood sample with an assessment of the morphology of the nucleated cells.

The present invention relates to an in vitro method for preparing and producing canine pancreatic islets from immature pancreatic tissue. Such islets express, produce and secrete insulin upon glucose stimulation. The invention further encompasses canine pancreatic islets obtainable according to the present method, islet population of said islets and compositions comprising said islets. It also relates to transduced canine pancreatic islets, or tumours or cells derived thereof. The present invention also concerns the use of said canine pancreatic islets or cells derived thereof for treating a canine pancreatic disorder, such as canine diabetes, or for diagnosing canine diabetes.

The present specification relates to an astrocyte-specific nucleic acid aptamer and a use thereof. The astrocyte-specific nucleic acid aptamer, according to the disclosure in the present specification, is a DNA aptamer.

The invention is directed to a method for preparing a detection reagent for CAR expressing cells according to general formula (I)

(X-S).sub.m-D   (I)

wherein D is a detection moiety, S a spacer unit and X a polypeptide comprising 10 to 80 amino acids and a N.sub.3 group, which binds to the antigen binding domain of a chimeric antigen receptor of a cell and m=4-200, characterized in reacting p detection moieties D with a spacer S according to general formula (II)

##STR00001##

wherein R is a leaving group, q=1 to 5, and n=4 to 200 and p is 4-250
thereby forming modified detection moiety S.sub.p-D and reacting the modified detection moiety S.sub.p-D with a plurality of polypeptides X to yield (X-S).sub.m-D.

Hematopoeitic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC) and/or non-T effector cells are modified to express an extracellular component including a tag cassette. The tag cassette can be used to activate, promote proliferation of, detect, enrich, isolate, track, deplete and/or eliminate modified cells. The cells can also be modified to express a binding domain.

An apparatus for analyzing particles in a solution includes a unit configured to place a flow cell having a flow path for flowing a sample solution containing the particles; a unit configured to illuminate the sample solution flowing through the flow path of the flow cell; a photodetector that detects a scattered light and/or fluorescence generated from the particles in the sample solution; and a unit configured to analyze the particles based on their signal intensities detected by the photodetector, wherein the flow cell has the flow path formed in a substrate, a reflection plane is formed on the side surface of the flow path, the reflection plane leads the lights generated in the flow path of the flow cell and advancing in the substrate in-plane direction to a specified region of the surface of the flow cell, and the photodetector detects the light exiting from the specified region to the outside.

The present invention concerns enriched heterogeneous mammalian renal cell populations characterized by biomarkers, and methods of making and using the same.

The present invention is a multivalent immunogenic composition for immunizing an animal against filariasis. In some embodiments, the antigens of the multivalent immunogenic composition are protein-based, DNA-based, or a combination thereof. This invention also provides a method and kit for detecting a filarial nematode and determining vaccine efficacy.

The present invention is directed to particular monoclonal antibodies and fragments thereof that find use in the detection and isolation of in vitro differentiated cardiomyocytes. In particular, the present invention relates to LSMEM2 biomarkers, including monoclonal antibodies having specificity for cell surface protein LSMEM2 and to methods of using such biomarkers for diagnosis of cardiovascular injury.