Abstract:
Provided are a functionalized, encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystal comprising a liposome having encapsulated therein one or more fluorescent nanocrystals; use of the functionalized, encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystals in detection systems; and a method of producing functionalized, encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystals. A method of using the functionalized encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystals having affinity molecule bound thereto comprises contacting the functionalized encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystals with a sample so that complexes are formed between the functionalized encapsulated fluorescent nanocrystals and substrate for which the affinity molecule has binding specificity, if the substrate is present; exposing the complexes in the detection system to an excitation light source, and detecting a fluorescence peak emitted from the complexes, if present.
Abstract:
Provided is a device comprising a plurality of microchambers having a closed vented environment, wherein each microchamber is in operative communication with a filling port and a vent aperture. The device further comprises a base which is sandwiched between two liquid-impermeable membranes, with at least one of the membranes being gas permeable. Also provided is a method for introducing a fluid into a plurality of microchambers of the device, wherein each filling port is aligned with a pipette tip, and the fluid is introduced into and through the filling port. The fluid then flows along a fluid flow groove providing fluid flow communication between the filling port and the microchamber, and into the microchamber.
Abstract:
A method is provided for immune corrective surgical removal of lymphoid tissues containing shed tumor antigen in an individual. A detector molecule, with binding specificity for shed tumor antigen, is administered to an individual, and detected in the individual is the presence of lymphoid tissue which contains shed tumor antigen, as detected by the signal emitted by the detector molecule bound to shed tumor antigen. The lymphoid tissue, detected as containing shed tumor antigen, may then be surgically removed, thereby removing B cells, shed tumor antigen, and follicular dendritic cells involved in a pro-tumor immune response that are contained in the removed lymphoid tissue.
Abstract:
Provided are compositions and assay kits comprising functionalized nanocrystals having extending therefrom a plurality of polynucleotide strands of known sequence; wherein primary dots are used to operably link to a molecular probe, and secondary dots comprise a plurality of polynucleotide strands which are complemetary to the plurality of polynucleotide strands of the primary dots. Also provided is a method for detecting the presence or absence of target molecule in a sample comprising operably linking primary dots to molecular probe, contacting the complex formed with the sample, contacting the sample with successive additions of secondary dots and primary dots. If target molecule is present in the sample, the primary dots and secondary dots will form dendrimers that can be detected by fluorescence emission.
Abstract:
A method for treating a pro-tumor immune response in an individual having, or suspected of having, a pro-tumor immune response, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of an immunotherapeutic composition which binds to a determinant on B cells, resulting in B cell depletion including of B cells that may be involved in promotion of tumor progression. Also provided are immunotherapeutic compositions which can be used for treating a pro-tumor immune response.
Abstract:
Provided is a method of fluorescence detection of lipid membranes using lipophilic, functionalized nanocrystals; and lipid membranes labeled by the lipophilic, functionalized nanocrystals. The method comprises contacting an effective amount of lipophilic, functionalized nanocrystals with the lipid membranes; exposing the labeled lipid membranes to an excitation light suitable for exciting the functionalized nanocrystals present in the labeled lipid membranes to emit a fluorescence emission. Also provided is a composition comprising a functionalized nanocrystal which is bound to a substrate in a living tissue.
Abstract:
An identifiable code pattern, a method of providing a carrier material with an identifiable code pattern, and a method for detecting an identifiable code pattern are based on applying water-soluble nanocrystals to carrier materials in a spatially arranged format that can be detected by exposing the identifiable code pattern to an excitation light source in exciting the water-soluble nanocrystals, and detecting any fluorescence peaks emitted from the excited water-soluble nanocrystals using a detection system. Provided are compositions comprising water-soluble quantum dot compounds which may be used to apply to carrier materials in a method of forming an identifiable code pattern that may be used to provide discrete, detectable signals which may be detected for purposes of identification and/or verification.
Abstract:
A biological tissue regenerative agent and method for preparing the same. The agent comprises the compounds that are usually found sequestered within platelets, along with platelet cytosolic components, and serum. The agent is prepared by preparing two quanta of blood. The first is clotted, the cells discarded and the serum retained. The second quantum undergoes concentration and lysis of the platelets therein, followed by recombination of the lysed platelets and platelet internal products with serum to form the agent. In a preferred embodiment, lysis of platelets is accomplished by providing an effective amount of calcium. The agent may be further purified and may be frozen or freeze dried for storage.
Abstract:
Provided are vaccines, methods of making the vaccines and methods for administering the vaccines for immunotherapy of an individual bearing, or at risk for developing, solid nonlymphoid tumor. The vaccine comprises an immunotherapeutic composition and tumor-associated antigen, and may further comprise one or more of an immunomodulator or a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A method of immunotherapy of an individual comprises administering to the individual an amount of the vaccine effective to suppress a TH2 response, and to induce a TH1 response against solid nonlymphoid tumor, in an individual having a TH2/TH1 imbalance.
Abstract:
An automated cell management system which can be programmed to perform and control various operations of the essential phases of cell culturing, of cell culture manipulation, and of cell culture evaluation. The automated cell management system comprises a housing, a storage array for accommodating a plurality of cell culture devices, a loading station, a means for harvesting one or more components from a cell culture device, and one or more processing stations. The automated cell management system may further comprise mechanism for tracking each cell culture device, a plurality of reservoirs, a centrifuge, a microprocessor, one or more evaluation stations, one or more means for sterilization, and a combination thereof.