Disclosed herein is a biosensor for optical detection of Brownian relaxation dynamics of magnetic particles measured by light transmission. The magnetic particles can be functionalized with biological ligands for the detection of target analytes in a sample.

A digitally encoded microflake includes a polymer layer, which has a top surface and a bottom surface substantially parallel to the top surface. At least one of the top surface and the bottom surface is to be coupled to target-specific probes for bonding with a target analyte. The microflake is identified by a binary sequence of bits encoded by an edge outline on a plane substantially parallel to the top surface and the bottom surface. The bits in the binary sequence are encoded at respective predefined locations surrounding the edge outline.

The invention discloses a method for selecting cells depending on their level of displaying and preferably secreting a protein of interest from a population of heterogeneously expressing cells, comprising: (a) contacting said cells with magnetic beads coated with an affinity group to the said cells, (b) mixing the said magnetic beads with the cells to capture the cells displaying/secreting the protein of interest, (c) performing at least one washing step to remove the non-captured cells, and (d) recovering the cells to which that magnetic beads have bound.

The present invention provides a method for identifying epithelial cells circulating in peripheral blood, which allows individuals who suffer from a disease that presents with epithelial cell destruction to be discriminated from those who do not. The invention also relates to a kit or device for carrying out the methods of the invention.

The present invention relates to a process for detecting a virus that include the steps of: taking a biosample (e.g. saliva) suspected of containing a virus, mixing it with a solution comprising nanoparticles having easily detectable properties (e.g. a color) and also comprising contrasting microparticles (e.g. clear or white), each having attached chemical compounds (e.g. antibodies) that selectively bind to the virus to be detected (e.g. SARS-CoV-2). When suitably mixed together, virus present in the biosample may bind to the nanoparticles and to the microparticles, connecting the two. When the mixture is then passed through a microfluidic assembly with dimensions that trap the microparticles but pass unbound nanoparticles, the detection of the presence of nanoparticles bound to the microparticles at the microfluidic filter indicates the presence of the virus to be detected. The process may include a concentration step to accelerate binding the virus to the nano- and micro-particles.

An apparatus and method for separating a target material. The apparatus for separating a target matter includes a mixture including a target matter, a density gradient material layer disposed under the mixture and having a greater density than a density of the mixture, magnetic beads including a magnetic material and binding to the target matter to form a complex, and a magnetic field generating device applying a magnetic field to the complex to precipitate the complex at the bottom of the density gradient material layer.

Point-of-care biomarker assay apparatus arranged for measuring a presence or concentration of a biomarker in a sample, said biomarker assay apparatus comprising cartridge receiving means arranged for receiving at least one cartridge having multiple chambers designed for receiving a plurality of liquid media comprising said sample, labelled binding reagent, magnetic beads reagent and wash buffer, a sample distribution unit arranged for processing pipetting steps with said chambers, thereby providing a liquid reactant mixture in one or more of said chambers, a magnetic coil assembly arranged for applying a magnetic field to said liquid reactant mixture for separating biomarkers bound to said magnetic beads and said labelled binding reagent, from said reactant mixture, a photo detector or assembly arranged for measuring said presence or concentration of said labelled binding reagent, a control unit arranged for controlling said processing pipetting steps with said chambers, and for controlling said sample distribution unit along said chambers according to a test protocol, wherein said test protocol comprises an order of subsequent processing steps performed in said plurality of chambers to be processed by said sample distribution unit, said processing steps comprising one or more processing pipetting steps by the sample distribution unit and one or more processing incubation steps of the reaction mixture within any of the chambers wherein the control unit being programmed for performing multiple, distinct test protocols.

Antigen-specific T cells, including nave T cells, and including rare precursor cells are enriched and expanded in culture. Enrichment and expansion provides a platform for more effective immunotherapy by adoptive transfer, as well as platforms for personalizing immunotherapy by determining T cell reactivity with a library of candidate peptide antigens.

Methods of isolating and assaying fetal extravillous trophoblast cells, including assays of RNA of the fetal extravillous trophoblast cells according to aspects of the disclosure include obtaining a maternal endocervical sample containing fetal extravillous trophoblast cells from a pregnant subject; fixing the maternal endocervical sample in an aldehyde fixative, removing fetal extravillous trophoblast cells from the maternal endocervical sample thereby producing isolated extravillous trophoblast cells, isolating and assaying RNA from the fetal extravillous trophoblast cells.

Proteinaceous specific binding members that specifically bind to a polymeric dye are provided. Also provided are methods of using the specific binding members, e.g., in separating a polymeric dye-labeled cell from a sample, in analyte detection, etc., as described herein. Kits and systems for practicing the subject methods are also provided.