Coulter International Corp.

Kristie M Gordon

Carlos M Rodriguez

Chiranjit Deka

James L Wyatt

Allan F Horton

Olavi Siiman

Alexander Burshteyn

John A Maples

Mark A Wells

Jose M Cano

Ronald D Paul

Barbara Carrillo

James Keller Whitesell

A rapid fluorescence staining method for facilitating flow cytometry analysis of reticulocytes is described. The method comprises contacting cells with a cocktail containing a detergent, sphering agent, and a cell impermeable dye, such as TO-PRO-3, for about one minute. Advantageously, the inventors have found that the cocktail permits the dye to penetrate the cell membrane rapidly.

Methods and compositions for rapid staining of nucleic acids in whole cells

A blood analyzing instrument includes a single transducer for simultaneously measuring the DC volume, RF conductivity, light scattering and fluorescence characteristics of blood cells passing through a cell-interrogation zone. Preferably, the transducer includes an electro-optical flow cell which defines a cell-interrogation zone having a square transverse cross-section measuring approximately 50&times;50 microns, and having a length, measured in the direction of cell flow, of approximately 65 microns.

Method and apparatus for analyzing cells in a whole blood sample

A method for enumerating and distinguishing between blood cell populations in a biological sample includes the steps of contacting a biological sample with a cell membrane-permeant, red-excited, nucleic acid binding dye, without significantly disrupting the integrity of the cells; exciting this sample with light in one red wavelength; and measuring fluorescence emitted from different cell populations in the sample. This method is particularly desirable for enumerating different WBC subpopulations using flow cytometry. This method is also useful for enumerating reticulocytes or NRBC or mature RBC. This method is enhanced by pretreating the sample with a nucleic acid-specific blocking agent. Dyes useful in this method include, without limitation, SYTO&reg;17 dye, SYTO&reg;159 dye, SYTO&reg;60 dye, SYTO&reg;61 dye, SYTO&reg;62 dye, SYTO&reg;63 dye, and SYTO&reg;64 dye.

Method for enumerating blood cells

A stable colloidal particle comprises a colloidal-sized core substrate having amine-reactive functional groups thereon with an aminodextran coating over its peripheral surface and a layer of colloidal-sized metallic solid overlaying the aminodextran coating. A linker comprising aminotrithiolate attached to the metallic solid has a free amino group to which a protein is attached by covalent bonding to the free amino group. Such novel particles are useful in flow cytometry, particularly useful in the simultaneous analyses of subpopulations of leukocytes. Methods of preparation of such particles, as well as methods of use are provided. These conjugates enable the simultaneous analyses of at least two different mutually exclusive subsets of white blood cells, based on the binding affinity of the conjugated protein.

Protein-colloidal metal-aminodextran coated particle and methods of

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Coral Gables, FL, United States of America

Kristie M Gordon