Abstract: The present invention relates to collagen hydrogels. Particularly, the invention relates to hydrogels comprising a telopeptide collagen (“telo-collagen”) and an atelopeptide collagen (“atelo-collagen”); hydrogels comprising collagen and chitosan; methods of making the hydrogels; methods of reducing gelation of a hydrogel mixture at room temperature; methods of reducing compaction of cells; and methods of culturing cells on such hydrogels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to collagen hydrogels. Particularly, the invention relates to hydrogels comprising a telopeptide collagen (“telo-collagen”) and an atelopeptide collagen (“atelo-collagen”); hydrogels comprising collagen and chitosan; methods of making the hydrogels; methods of reducing gelation of a hydrogel mixture at room temperature; methods of reducing compaction of cells; and methods of culturing cells on such hydrogels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to collagen hydrogels. Particularly, the invention relates to hydrogels comprising a telopeptide collagen (“telo-collagen”) and an atelopeptide collagen (“atelo-collagen”); hydrogels comprising collagen and chitosan; methods of making the hydrogels; methods of reducing gelation of a hydrogel mixture at room temperature; methods of reducing compaction of cells; and methods of culturing cells on such hydrogels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to collagen hydrogels. Particularly, the invention relates to hydrogels comprising a telopeptide collagen (“telo-collagen”) and an atelopeptide collagen (“atelo-collagen”); hydrogels comprising collagen and chitosan; methods of making the hydrogels; methods of reducing gelation of a hydrogel mixture at room temperature; methods of reducing compaction of cells; and methods of culturing cells on such hydrogels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to collagen hydrogels. Particularly, the invention relates to hydrogels comprising a telopeptide collagen (“telo-collagen”) and an atelopeptide collagen (“atelo-collagen”); hydrogels comprising collagen and chitosan; methods of making the hydrogels; methods of reducing gelation of a hydrogel mixture at room temperature; methods of reducing compaction of cells; and methods of culturing cells on such hydrogels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to collagen hydrogels. Particularly, the invention relates to hydrogels comprising a telopeptide collagen (“telo-collagen”) and an atelopeptide collagen (“atelo-collagen”); hydrogels comprising collagen and chitosan; methods of making the hydrogels; methods of reducing gelation of a hydrogel mixture at room temperature; methods of reducing compaction of cells; and methods of culturing cells on such hydrogels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to collagen hydrogels. Particularly, the invention relates to hydrogels comprising a telopeptide collagen (“telo-collagen”) and an atelopeptide collagen (“atelo-collagen”); hydrogels comprising collagen and chitosan; methods of making the hydrogels; methods of reducing gelation of a hydrogel mixture at room temperature; methods of reducing compaction of cells; and methods of culturing cells on such hydrogels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to collagen hydrogels. Particularly, the invention relates to hydrogels comprising a telopeptide collagen (“telo-collagen”) and an atelopeptide collagen (“atelo-collagen”); hydrogels comprising collagen and chitosan; methods of making the hydrogels; methods of reducing gelation of a hydrogel mixture at room temperature; methods of reducing compaction of cells; and methods of culturing cells on such hydrogels.

Abstract: The present provides nuclear localization signaling (NLS) sequences derived from titin, comprised of amino acids 181-220: SVGRATSTAE LLVQGEEEVP AKKTKTIVST AQISESRQTR and fragments thereof, such as amino acids 193-208: VQGEEEVP AKKTKTIV; amino acids 199-208: VPAKKTKTIV; and amino acids 200-206: PAKKTKT. The NLS sequences can be linked to agents, such as peptides, proteins or nucleotides, for transporting the agents into the nucleus of cells, and the NLS-agent complex can be further linked to antibodies or ligands for specific binding to cells. Also provided is a method for constructing cDNAs comprising combining a NLS sequence with a nucleic acid sequence for a target protein for expression and entry of the target protein into the nucleus of cells, which then can perform specific functions therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tissue engineered construct analytical imaging system (10) for use with culture wells (12) having tissue engineered constructs therein, which are positionable in an incubator apparatus (16) or other enclosed environment. The system (10) includes an imaging device (18) in operational communication with the enclosed environment for obtaining data reflective of a well area of interest in the culture well (12), without the removal of the culture well (12) from the enclosed environment. A computer controller (20) can receive data from the imaging device (18), analyze the data and determine desired parameters within the well area of interest and/or output data reflective of the results of the analysis. A computer-implemented method of obtaining and analyzing images of tissue engineered constructs is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cell culture device for applying shear stress and strain on single cells. The device includes at least one channel, at least one cell culture chamber having at least one single-cell attachment surface, a flexible membrane, at least one vacuum channel, and an inlet and an outlet. The inventive single-cell culture assembly fluid flow for applying fluid induced stress and/or substrate induced stress to cultured cells.

Abstract: The present provides nuclear localization signaling (NLS) sequences derived from titin, comprised of amino acids 181-220: SVGRATSTAE LLVQGEEEVP AKKTKTIVST AQISESRQTR and fragments thereof, such as amino acids 193-208: VQGEEEVP AKKTKTIV; amino acids 199-208: VPAKKTKTIV; and amino acids 200-206: PAKKTKT. The NLS sequences can be linked to agents, such as peptides, proteins or nucleotides, for transporting the agents into the nucleus of cells, and the NLS-agent complex can be further linked to antibodies or ligands for specific binding to cells. Also provided is a method for constructing cDNAs comprising combining a NLS sequence with a nucleic acid sequence for a target protein for expression and entry of the target protein into the nucleus of cells, which then can perform specific functions therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a blood vessel bioreactor and accessory system to harvest, maintain, transport, and/or develop a native blood vessel or a tissue-engineered biosynthetic blood vessel construct in which regulated nutritive fluid flow as well as a pressure and shear stress regimen is supplied which nutritionally and mechanically conditions the native or tissue-engineered blood vessel construct to withstand an in vitro or in vivo environment. The present invention includes a blood vessel harvest and carriage cassette (10) which allows for the isolation of a blood vessel segment in situ, engagement of a defined length and bore size of the blood vessel segment with a blood vessel attachment/engagement cuff (20), severing of the blood vessel segment, attachment of the severed ends of the blood vessel segment with various types of blood vessel inlet/outlet cuff connectors that connect to a nutritive fluid flow system, and a cassette-type bioreactor cartridge.

Abstract: The present provides nuclear localization signaling (NLS) sequences derived from titin, comprised of amino acids 181-220: SVGRATSTAE LLVQGEEEVP AKKTKTIVST AQISESRQTR and fragments thereof, such as amino acids 193-208: VQGEEEVP AKKTKTIV; amino acids 199-208: VPAKKTKTIV; and amino acids 200-206: PAKKTKT. The NLS sequences can be linked to agents, such as peptides, proteins or nucleotides, for transporting the agents into the nucleus of cells, and the NLS-agent complex can be further linked to antibodies or ligands for specific binding to cells. Also provided is a method for constructing cDNAs comprising combining a NLS sequence with a nucleic acid sequence for a target protein for expression and entry of the target protein into the nucleus of cells, which then can perform specific functions therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tissue engineered construct analytical imaging system (10) for use with culture wells (12) having tissue engineered constructs therein, which are positionable in an incubator apparatus (16) or other enclosed environment. The system (10) includes an imaging device (18) in operational communication with the enclosed environment for obtaining data reflective of a well area of interest in the culture well (12), without the removal of the culture well (12) from the enclosed environment. A computer controller (20) can receive data from the imaging device (18), analyze the data and determine desired parameters within the well area of interest and/or output data reflective of the results of the analysis. A computer-implemented method of obtaining and analyzing images of tissue engineered constructs is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for manipulating the intrinsic strain of cells by treating tissue engineered constructs or native tissue with compounds which affect the intrinsic strain setpoint of the cells in order to modulate matrix synthesis, secretion, organization and/or remodeling so that the tissues withstand in vivo mechanical forces and have the structural characteristics of host tissue which has been permanently altered by injury, atrophy or disease. The compounds include binding site peptides, ATP, UTP and related analogues, IL-1&bgr; TGF-&agr; cytochalasin D, hyaluronic acid, nocodazole and others. Also provided are methods for applying a mechanical external strain to the tissues, as well as methods for modulating the expression of cytoskeletal genes that transcribe cytoskeletal proteins which regulate a cell's intrinsic strain setpoint.

Abstract: The present provides nuclear localization signaling (NLS) sequences derived from titin, comprised of amino acids 181-220: SVGRATSTAE LLVQGEEEVP AKKTKTIVST AQISESRQTR and fragments thereof, such as amino acids 193-208: VQGEEEVP AKKTKTIV; amino acids 199-208: VPAKKTKTIV; and amino acids 200-206: PAKKTKT. The NLS sequences can be linked to agents, such as peptides, proteins or nucleotides, for transporting the agents into the nucleus of cells, and the NLS-agent complex can be further linked to antibodies or ligands for specific binding to cells. Also provided is a method for constructing cDNAs comprising combining a NLS sequence with a nucleic acid sequence for a target protein for expression and entry of the target protein into the nucleus of cells, which then can perform specific functions therein.