Compositions comprising multiple hydrogel particles having substantially the same diameter, but with each subgrouping of particles from the multiple hydrogel particles having different associated values for one or more passive optical properties that can be deconvoluted using cytometric instrumentation. Each hydrogel particle from the multiple hydrogel particles can be functionalized with a different biochemical or chemical target from a set of targets. A method of preparing hydrogel particles includes forming droplets and polymerizing the droplets, with optional functionalization.

Compositions comprising multiple hydrogel particles having substantially the same diameter, but with each subgrouping of particles from the multiple hydrogel particles having different associated values for one or more passive optical properties that can be deconvoluted using cytometric instrumentation. Each hydrogel particle from the multiple hydrogel particles can be functionalized with a different biochemical or chemical target from a set of targets. A method of preparing hydrogel particles includes forming droplets and polymerizing the droplets, with optional functionalization.

This disclosure relates to verifying the operation of cell analyzers, including microscope-based cell imaging and counting analyzers. In one general aspect, a mixture of micro-beads having known characteristics is introduced into the analyzer. One or more images of the mixture are acquired with the analyzer's microscope, the images are analyzed, and a determination is made about whether results meet one or more predetermined quality control thresholds. Also disclosed is a hematology control material that can be used to perform the verification and includes a solvent, a dye dissolved in the solvent, and micro-beads suspended in the solvent. In another general aspect, a quality control method for the analyzers includes capturing images of samples that include patient cells using at least a microscope, extracting sample-specific information about properties of the patient samples from the images, and testing information from the samples against predetermined standards to verify the operation of the analyzer.

The invention relates to coloured particles with particular mass density, diameters and surface charge comprising pathogen ligands immobilized. The particles are used in methods for detecting and/or characterizing pathogens present in isolated test samples, as well as in methods for detecting and/or characterizing pathogen-binding antibodies present in isolated test samples. A kit comprising the particles is also disclosed.

Compositions comprising multiple hydrogel particles having substantially the same diameter, but with each subgrouping of particles from the multiple hydrogel particles having different associated values for one or more passive optical properties that can be deconvoluted using cytometric instrumentation. Each hydrogel particle from the multiple hydrogel particles can be functionalized with a different biochemical or chemical target from a set of targets. A method of preparing hydrogel particles includes forming droplets and polymerizing the droplets, with optional functionalization.

The subject invention pertains to compositions of novel analogs of red blood cells that are distinguishable from white blood cells in a hematological instrument and processes for manufacturing such analogs. The processes for creating the compositions comprise washing, shrinking, and fixing cells at temperatures at or below room temperature.

This disclosure relates to verifying the operation of cell analyzers, including microscope-based cell imaging and counting analyzers. In one general aspect, a mixture of micro-beads having known characteristics is introduced into the analyzer. One or more images of the mixture are acquired with the analyzer's microscope, the images are analyzed, and a determination is made about whether results meet one or more predetermined quality control thresholds. Also disclosed is a hematology control material that can be used to perform the verification and includes a solvent, a dye dissolved in the solvent, and micro-beads suspended in the solvent. In another general aspect, a quality control method for the analyzers includes capturing images of samples that include patient cells using at least a microscope, extracting sample-specific information about properties of the patient samples from the images, and testing information from the samples against predetermined standards to verify the operation of the analyzer.

The present disclosure provides a quality control substance for use in the analysis of leukocytes, which can be prepared safely with easily available raw materials, which has excellent preservation stability, and which can be used in the analysis of sediments in a sample. This quality control substance includes artificial particles whose form as observed with a microscope is similar to the form of leukocytes as observed therewith.

The subject invention pertains to compositions of novel analogs of red blood cells that are distinguishable from white blood cells in a hematological instrument and processes for manufacturing such analogs. The processes for creating the compositions include washing, shrinking, and fixing cells at temperatures at or below room temperature.

Provided herein are red blood cell control compositions comprising one or more populations of lysable hydrogel particles having an impedance that is substantially similar to the impedance of a human red blood cell of average diameter; and a population of hemoglobin molecules or a population of dye molecules that have substantially similar absorbance as hemoglobin; wherein (i) and/or (ii) are present in an amount that corresponds to a normal blood sample or disease state, or (i) and (ii) are present at a ratio that corresponds to a normal blood sample or disease state.