The present invention provides the use of a composition comprising a block polymer as a support matrix in the manipulation, processing or analysis of particles, such as cells and fluorescent beads. In a preferred embodiment, the composition exhibits gel-sol thermoreversibility, micelle formation under gelling conditions, optically compatible, controllable surfactant properties, molecular sieving properties and biocompatibility. Further aspects of the invention provide (a) a support matrix composition comprising a block polymer, fluorescent beads and/or a dye for use in the manipulation, processing or analysis of particles, (b) a multichamber plate coated in a support matrix composition and (c) kits for producing the same.

The present invention provides the use of a composition comprising a block polymer as a support matrix in the manipulation, processing or analysis of particles, such as cells and fluorescent beads. In a preferred embodiment, the composition exhibits gel-sol thermoreversibility, micelle formation under gelling conditions, optically compatible, controllable surfactant properties, molecular sieving properties and biocompatibility. Further aspects of the invention provide (a) a support matrix composition comprising a block polymer, fluorescent beads and/or a dye for use in the manipulation, processing or analysis of particles, (b) a multichamber plate coated in a support matrix composition and (c) kits for producing the same.

An object of the present invention is to provide a hemoglobin measurement reagent and measurement method that allow for more accurate measurement of the amount of hemoglobin by suppressing a decrease in a measured value of hemoglobin triggered by the addition of haptoglobin. The reagent for measuring hemoglobin of the present invention includes: an insoluble carrier immobilizing an anti-hemoglobin antibody; and an insoluble carrier immobilizing an anti-haptoglobin antibody. The method for measuring hemoglobin in a specimen of the present invention includes: a step (1) of mixing a specimen with haptoglobin and forming a hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex to obtain a sample containing the hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex; and a step (2) of bringing the sample obtained in the step (1) into contact with the insoluble carrier immobilizing an anti-hemoglobin antibody and the insoluble carrier immobilizing an anti-haptoglobin antibody to cause immunoagglutination.

An object of the present invention is to provide a hemoglobin measurement reagent and measurement method that allow for more accurate measurement of the amount of hemoglobin by suppressing a decrease in a measured value of hemoglobin triggered by the addition of haptoglobin. The reagent for measuring hemoglobin of the present invention includes: an insoluble carrier immobilizing an anti-hemoglobin antibody; and an insoluble carrier immobilizing an anti-haptoglobin antibody. The method for measuring hemoglobin in a specimen of the present invention includes: a step (1) of mixing a specimen with haptoglobin and forming a hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex to obtain a sample containing the hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex; and a step (2) of bringing the sample obtained in the step (1) into contact with the insoluble carrier immobilizing an anti-hemoglobin antibody and the insoluble carrier immobilizing an anti-haptoglobin antibody to cause immunoagglutination.

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods for immobilizing a biological specimen for extended periods of time for image capture. Specific embodiments may be used to support a target specimen in a gel matrix. In some embodiments, the biological specimen may be in liquid form at elevated temperatures, a stain and/or lyse may be added to the biological specimen, and a gelling composition may added. At reduced temperatures, the gelling composition may still the biological specimen to immobilize a biological specimen for extended periods of time for image capture.

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods for immobilizing a biological specimen for extended periods of time for image capture. Specific embodiments may be used to support a target specimen in a gel matrix. In some embodiments, the biological specimen may be in liquid form at elevated temperatures, a stain and/or lyse may be added to the biological specimen, and a gelling composition may added. At reduced temperatures, the gelling composition may still the biological specimen to immobilize a biological specimen for extended periods of time for image capture.

To provide a method for producing a particle that can suppress non-specific adsorption without using BSA. A method for producing a particle, including: a first step of mixing a radically polymerizable monomer, an organic silane compound having a silicon atom to which an alkoxy group is bonded and having radical polymerizability, a radical polymerization initiator, a water-soluble polymer, and an aqueous medium to prepare an emulsion; and a second step of adding a specific reactive compound after the first step.

To provide a method for producing a particle that can suppress non-specific adsorption without using BSA. A method for producing a particle, including: a first step of mixing a radically polymerizable monomer, an organic silane compound having a silicon atom to which an alkoxy group is bonded and having radical polymerizability, a radical polymerization initiator, a water-soluble polymer, and an aqueous medium to prepare an emulsion; and a second step of adding a specific reactive compound after the first step.

A cell selection and sorting process includes attaching cells of a target cell type to a first set of polymeric beads, washing the chamber through a first filter having a first pore size less than the first bead diameter to retain the first set of polymeric beads and greater than a cell diameter to remove unattached cells, releasing the cells of the target cell type from the first set of polymeric beads, and collecting the cells of the target cell type. A cell modification process includes modifying cells of the target cell type in the chamber. A cell modification system includes a cell modification chamber with entry ports and outlet ports, filters with predetermined pore sized selectably located on the outlet ports, and sets of polymeric beads with predetermined diameters being selected such that the sets of polymeric beads are separable by the filters.

A cell selection and sorting process includes attaching cells of a target cell type to a first set of polymeric beads, washing the chamber through a first filter having a first pore size less than the first bead diameter to retain the first set of polymeric beads and greater than a cell diameter to remove unattached cells, releasing the cells of the target cell type from the first set of polymeric beads, and collecting the cells of the target cell type. A cell modification process includes modifying cells of the target cell type in the chamber. A cell modification system includes a cell modification chamber with entry ports and outlet ports, filters with predetermined pore sized selectably located on the outlet ports, and sets of polymeric beads with predetermined diameters being selected such that the sets of polymeric beads are separable by the filters.