Environmentally-friendly, aqueous concentrated reagent compositions are provided for dilution and use in suitable hematology analyzers for analyzing blood cells including for enumeration and sizing of blood cells, determination of hemoglobin parameters and differentiation of leukocyte subpopulations in a single blood cell sample.

Gene editing can be performed by introducing gene-editing components into a cell by mechanical cell disruption. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described. The methods and systems of the invention solve the problem of intracellular delivery of gene editing components and gene editing complexes to target cells. The results described herein indicate that delivery of gene editing components, e.g., protein, ribonucleic acid (RNA), and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), by mechanical disruption of cell membranes leads to successful gene editing. Because intracellular delivery of gene editing materials is a current challenge, the methods provide a robust mechanism to engineer target cells without the use of potentially harmful viral vectors or electric fields.

The present invention relates to a method of isolating exosomes. Specifically, the invention relates to a method comprising the steps of providing a sample including exosomes; identifying a cell-surface polypeptide on the exosomes; and isolating the exosomes using the cell-surface polypeptide on the exosomes. The exosomes isolated from by the methods of the invention can be studied for the purposes of biomarker identification, for the understanding of biological function and disease, and to find ways to target them with therapeutics.

A process of using a fish plasma component in a nutrient medium for cell culture includes obtaining a fish that is a progeny of domesticated broodstock that are reared under consistent and reproducible conditions. Blood is obtained from the fish, and plasma is separated from the blood. One or more specific components of the plasma are then extracted, and cells are cultured in a nutrient medium using the one or more extracted plasma components, and none of any remainder of the plasma. The plasma and/or the plasma components is/are tested for presence and/or level of endotoxin. Extracting the one or more specific components of the plasma, and/or culturing the cells is only performed if the testing indicates an endotoxin level below a predetermined threshold. The cells cultured using the extracted one or more plasma components are other than fish cells.

Environmentally-friendly, aqueous concentrated reagent compositions are provided for dilution and use in suitable hematology analyzers for analyzing blood cells including for enumeration and sizing of blood cells, determination of hemoglobin parameters and differentiation of leukocyte subpopulations in a single blood cell sample.

Provided herein are devices and methods for extracting blood plasma from ultra-low volumes of blood. In some cases, the devices and methods use positive pressure to force a blood sample through a filter or a membrane. In some cases, the devices and methods use centrifugation to force a blood sample through a filter or a membrane. The devices and methods disclosed herein are suitable for the preparation of high-quality samples containing cell-free nucleic acids.

The present invention provides a method for capturing specific cells (e.g. many types of cancer cells, including cancer cells not expressing EpCAM), and a method for analysis of specific cells involving the method. Included is a method for capturing specific cells present in blood or biological fluid, the method including: agglutinating blood cells in sampled blood or biological fluid; centrifuging the resulting blood or biological fluid; and then capturing specific cells therefrom onto a hydrophilic polymer layer.

The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for the separation of blood components including separation by rapid sedimentation, including in an automated fashion.

Provided are specific cell-fractionating and -capturing methods which can fractionate and capture, respectively, specific cells (e.g., many types of cancer cells, including cancer cells not expressing EpCAM, or peripheral blood stem cells). Included is a method for fractionating specific cells present in blood or biological fluid, the method including fractionating the blood or biological fluid by centrifugation to collect the specific cells in the blood or biological fluid, the centrifugation being carried out using a container having a low protein adsorbing layer at least partially formed on the inner surface thereof.

A process of using a fish plasma component in a nutrient medium for cell culture includes obtaining a fish that is a progeny of domesticated broodstock that are reared under consistent and reproducible conditions. Blood is obtained from the fish, and plasma is separated from the blood. One or more specific components of the plasma are then extracted, and cells are cultured in a nutrient medium using the one or more extracted plasma components, and none of any remainder of the plasma. The plasma and/or the plasma components is/are tested for presence and/or level of endotoxin. Extracting the one or more specific components of the plasma, and/or culturing the cells is only performed if the testing indicates an endotoxin level below a predetermined threshold. The cells cultured using the extracted one or more plasma components are other than fish cells.