High efficiency methods for producing retinal pigment epithelial cells from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are disclosed herein. The iPSCs are produced from somatic cells, including retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, such as fetal RPE stem cells. In some embodiments, the iPSC include a tyrosinase promoter operably linked to a marker. Methods are disclosed for using the RPE cells, such as for treatment. Methods for screening for agents that affect RPE differentiation are also disclosed.

A method of detecting and isolating cells that produce a secreted protein of interest (POI), for example, an antibody, comprising: a) providing a eukaryotic cell comprising (i) a nucleic acid encoding the POI, and (ii) a nucleic acid encoding a cell surface capture molecule, which comprises a membrane anchor and is capable of binding the POI; (b) culturing the cell under conditions in which the POI and cell surface capture molecule are expressed, and a POI-cell surface capture molecule complex is formed intracellularly and displayed on the cell surface; c) detecting the surface-displayed POI by contacting the cells with a detection molecule, which binds the POI; and d) isolating cells based on the detection molecule.

The present invention relates to use of an Anaplasma phagocytophilum protein APH1384 as diagnostic antigen for granulocytic anaplasmosis. The protein can remedy the drawback of missed detection of an existing diagnostic antigen P44 for granulocytic anaplasmosis, improve sensitivity of detection for granulocytic anaplasmosis, and facilitate rapid and accurate clinical diagnosis of granulocytic anaplasmosis.

A monoclonal antibody against human (a69) and mouse clones Triggering Receptor and (Clones Expressed in Myeloid TREM) cells-like transcript-1 or TLT-1 is provided. This antibody also identifies TLT-1 on platelets by flow cytometry, in western blots, by immunofluorescence, ELISA and immunoprecipitation giving it immediate use as a diagnostic tool for research and blood marker and/or treatment for diseases such as disseminated intravascular coagulation. The Antibody can also be used as intervention for any diseases that has or may have a TLT-1 component such as Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancers and should overcome the problem of blocking platelet function that leads to a bleeding diathesis.

The invention provides cellular compositions that contain CD34.sup.+ cells derived from bone marrow of a decease donor and CD3.sup.+ cells derived from non-bone marrow of the deceased donor. The compositions are useful to promote mixed chimerism in recipients of solid organ transplants. The invention also provides methods of making and using such compositions. In certain embodiments, the invention further provides methods of analyzing and preparing blood and blood components from a deceased donor for use in compositions of the invention to promote mixed chimerism in solid organ transplant recipients.

The present invention provides methods for the identification, isolation and/or enrichment of human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs). In some embodiments, the method comprises a positive selection process in which a cell population containing human corneal cells is contacted with a positive affinity reagent that selectively binds to HCECs relative to cells other than HCECs (e.g., corneal keratocytes, etc.) in the population and/or a negative selection process in which a cell population containing HCECs is contacted with a negative affinity reagent that selectively binds to cells other than HCECs in the population relative to HCECs. The present invention also provides reagents and kits for the identification, isolation and/or enrichment of HCECs as well as compositions that are enriched in HCECs.

Methods are provided for detection of a target cell type within a cell population, and compositions are provided comprising cells and an indicator that indicates the number of cells of the target cell type in the cell population. Examples are provided in which these methods are used to detect human embryonic stem cells within a differentiated cell population with exquisite sensitivity. Differentiated cells produced from embryonic stem cells can be characterized by these methods before transplantation into a recipient, thereby providing further assurance of safety.

Described are transgenic, non-human animals comprising a nucleic acid encoding an immunoglobulin light chain, whereby the immunoglobulin light chain is human, human-like, or humanized. The nucleic acid is provided with a means that renders it resistant to DNA rearrangements and/or somatic hypermutations. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid comprises an expression cassette for the expression of a desired molecule in cells during a certain stage of development in cells developing into mature B cells. Further provided is methods for producing an immunoglobulin from the transgenic, non-human animal.

Described herein are various systems, methods, and apparatus for systematic creation of isolated homogeneous colonies of cells from vector-based lineages. The vector-based lineages may originate from multiple types of viral vector families (e.g., Paramyx-oviridae, Retroviridae, Parvoviridae) or non-natural engineered vectors or a plurality of vector combinations, for example. In certain embodiments, the isolated homogeneous colonies of cells are vector-free sub-colonies; in other embodiments, the isolated homogeneous colonies of cells are homogeneous vector sub-colonies. In other embodiments, vector mixed sub-colonies are created. The disclosed systems, methods, and apparatus are useful for inducible pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) production and work by selectively binding to one or more corresponding protein markers expressed on the surface of a cell that indicate that cellular reprogramming has occurred. Software is used to automate the purification and isolation of the iPSCs produced.

The invention provides a method for preparing an expanded renal (kidney) tissue sample suitable for microscopic analysis. Expanding the kidney sample can be achieved by binding, e.g., anchoring, key biomolecules to a polymer network and swelling, or expanding, the polymer network, thereby moving the biomolecules apart as further described herein. As the biomolecules are anchored to the polymer network, isotropic expansion of the polymer network retains the spatial orientation of the biomolecules resulting in an expanded, or enlarged, kidney sample.