Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates, in certain aspects, to cultivated meat and other cultivated animal-derived products. In some embodiments, muscle and/or fat cells can be grown on microcarriers or other scaffolds, for example, in a bioreactor or other in vitro cell culture system. The microcarriers or other scaffolds can comprise materials such as fibrin. The fibrin may be formed into hydrogels or other articles, which may be edible in some cases. The microcarriers may also contain grooves or other structures in some instances. In certain embodiments, the microcarriers may be present within the final product, e.g., in a cultivated meat product. Other embodiments are generally directed to methods of making or using microcarriers or cultivated meat products, kits involving these, or the like.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates, in certain aspects, to cultivated meat and other cultivated animal-derived products. In some embodiments, such products may include fat replicas, which may improve taste, appearance, etc. In some cases, a fat replica can be formed by forming an emulsion of fat and a non-human blood plasma, then causing the blood plasma to crosslink and/or clot, e.g., forming a hydrogel containing the fat emulsion. In some cases, the fat replica may be used to make a cultivated meat product, e.g., by combining with muscle replicas, lysate of non-human red blood cells, etc. Other embodiments are generally directed to methods of making or using such fat replicas, the microcarriers, or the cultivated meat products, kits involving these, or the like.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates, in certain aspects, to cultivated meat and other cultivated animal-derived products. In some embodiments, the whole blood of a non-human animal is separated into various components (e.g., concentrated red blood cells, blood plasma, etc.). Some embodiments are generally directed toward incorporating coloring or “redness” into a product. For example, colorants may be added to a cultivated meat product to improve its color. The colorant may comprise a lysate of non-human red blood cells, e.g., containing hemoglobin. In some embodiments, the lysate may be obtained from blood withdrawn from living animal donors. Other embodiments yet are generally directed toward the composition and method of use of the lysate, cultivated meat products, kits involving these, or the like.

Abstract: A low power-consumption iontronic pressure sensor is disclosed that is based on OECT where an ionic hydrogel is used as solid gating medium for pressure sensing transistor elements formed thereon. The pressure sensor includes a substrate containing one or more pressure sensing transistor elements with each transistor element including a source electrode, a drain electrode, and a channel formed from a material comprising an electrically conducting polymer. A microstructured solid gel electrolyte having a plurality of microstructures formed thereon serves as the gating medium and is disposed atop the channel. A gate electrode is disposed on the microstructured solid gel electrolyte. The resultant iontronic pressure sensor may be operated at voltages less than 1 V, with a power-consumption between ˜101-103 ?W, while maintaining a tunable sensitivity between 1˜10 kPa?1.

Abstract: An organic electrochemical transistor (OECT)-based sensor device is disclosed that uses circular-shaped gate electrode and source and drain electrodes that at least partially surround the gate electrode and have an undulating pattern that is generally described as curvy and wavy (CW). The arrangement of the source and drain electrodes around the gate electrode provides the ability to obtain high-transconductance OECT (HT-OECT). With the HT-OECT sensor design, multiplexed OECT-based biosensors can be created for high-throughput screening applications of multiple biomarkers/biomolecules. This platform can be used for point-of-care applications, wearable biosensing, and minimally-invasive biosensing with microneedles or a catheter/probe as a carrier for HT-OECT(s).

Abstract: Microchannels in hydrogels play an essential role in enabling a smart contact lens. A wearable contact lens is disclosed herein that uses microchannels and connected chambers located in poly-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (poly(HEMA)) hydrogel that is used in a commercial contact lens with three-dimensional (3D) printed mold. The corresponding capillary flow behaviors in these microchannels were investigated. Different capillary flow regimes were observed in these microchannels, depending on the hydration level of the hydrogel material. In particular, it was found that a peristaltic pressure could reinstate flow in a dehydrated microchannel, indicating the motion of eye-blinking may help tear flow in a microchannel-containing contact lens. Colorimetric pH and electrochemical Na+ sensing capabilities were demonstrated in these microchannels. Micro-engineered contact lenses formed using poly(HEMA) hydrogel can be used for various biomedical applications such as eye-care and wearable biosensing.

Abstract: A gelatin-based (e.g., gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)) patch is disclosed with an array of microneedles (MNs) for minimally invasive sampling of bodily fluids such as interstitial fluid (ISF). The properties of the patch can be tuned by altering the concentration of the GelMA prepolymer and the crosslinking time. The GelMA-based MN patch demonstrated efficient extraction of ISF. Furthermore, in experimental testing, the patch efficiently and quantitatively detects glucose and vancomycin in ISF in an in vivo study. This minimally invasive approach of extracting ISF with a GelMA microneedle enables to detection and analysis of target molecules from patients. The target molecules captured in the patch may be released and analyzed to detect the presence of and/or concentration of target molecules. In other embodiments, the patch itself may be analyzed directly to detect the presence of and/or concentration of target molecules.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and materials for embolization of one or more blood vessels (e.g., one or more arteries). For example, biomaterial compositions (e.g., BEM compositions containing PRF and one or more nanoclay materials) for embolization of one or more blood vessels (e.g., one or more arteries) within a mammal (e.g., a human) are provided.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and materials for embolization of one or more blood vessels (e.g., one or more arteries). For example, hydrogel compositions for embolization of one or more blood vessels (e.g., one or more arteries) within a mammal (e.g., a human) are provided.

Abstract: A DOPA-Gelatin is disclosed in which the monophenolic group of tyrosine, a prominent amino acid in porcine gelatin, is converted into a catechol group using an enzyme-based DOPA modification technique. The resulting DOPA-Gelatin has been discovered to exhibit good mechanical strength and adhesion. Moreover, in vitro studies show that DOPA-Gelatin has no cytotoxicity with HDF and HaCaT cells, two cells typically involved in the skin wound healing process. Further RT-PCR and angiogenesis investigation showed that DOPA-Gelatin can promote the expression of wound-related genes and facilitate neovascularization. In a full-thickness dorsal defect model in mice, DOPA-Gelatin treated groups decreased the wound closure time and enhanced hair follicle growth. These results demonstrate that the DOPA-Gelatin hydrogel compositions disclosed herein are an effective functional biomaterial that can potentiate the wound healing process.

Abstract: A gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)-based biosensor device for wearable biosensing applications is disclosed. An exemplary capacitive tactile sensor with GelMA used as the core dielectric layer is disclosed. A robust chemical bonding and a reliable encapsulation approach are introduced to overcome detachment and water-evaporation issues in hydrogel biosensors. The resultant GelMA tactile sensor shows a high-pressure sensitivity of 0.19 kPa?1 and one order of magnitude lower limit of detection (0.1 Pa) compared to previous hydrogel pressure sensors owing to its excellent mechanical and electrical properties (e.g., dielectric constant). Furthermore, it shows durability up to 3,000 test cycles because of tough chemical bonding, and long-term stability of three (3) days due to the inclusion of an encapsulation layer, which prevents water evaporation (e.g., 80% water content).

Abstract: A biodegradable microneedle (MN) patch is disclosed for transdermal gene delivery. The MN patch, in one embodiment, is a gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)-based MN platform for the local and controlled transdermal delivery of plasmid DNA (pDNA) (or other nucleic acid with high transfection efficiency both in vitro and in vivo. Intracellular delivery of the nucleic acid cargo is enabled by poly(?-amino ester) (PBAE). After being embedded in the GelMA MNs, sustained release of DNA-encapsulated PBAE nanoparticles (NPs) is achieved and the release profiles can be controlled by adjusting the degree of crosslinking of the GelMA. These results highlight the advantages and potential of using PBAE/DNA NPs embedded GelMA MN patches (MN/PBAE/DNA) for successful transdermal delivery of pDNA for tissue regeneration, cancer therapy, and other applications. The patch may also be used on other tissue types.

Abstract: A patch incorporates biodegradable microneedles (MNs) that are fabricated from naturally derived polymer conjugates of gelatin methacryloyl and ?-cyclodextrin (GelMA-)?-CD). When curcumin, an unstable and water-insoluble anticancer therapeutic agent, is loaded as an example, its stability and solubility are improved due to the formation of inclusion complex. The polymer-drug complex GelMA-?-CD/CUR can be formulated into MN arrays with sufficient mechanical strength for skin penetration and tunable drug release profile. Anticancer efficacy of released curcumin is observed in three-dimensional (3D) B16F10 melanoma models. The GelMA-?-CD/CUR MN exhibits relatively higher therapeutic efficacy through more localized and deeper penetrated manner compared with a control non-transdermal patch. In vivo studies verify biocompatibility and degradability of the GelMA-?-CD MN-based patch. Other water-insoluble therapeutic agents may be loaded into the patch.

Abstract: We have developed novel shear-thinning biomaterials using silica nanoparticles, gelatin-based polymers and polypeptides such as anti-PD-1 antibodies. Shear-thinning biomaterial technology offers enables polymers and drugs loaded inside such polymers to be easily delivered directly through catheters into target area for use, for example, in cancer therapy and immunotherapy. When a force above a certain threshold is applied to inject such materials, they “thin” and behaves as a semi-solid, allowing the material to readily flow through a catheter. When the force is removed, the material instantly becomes a soft solid with significant cohesive properties that prevent it from dislodging or breaking up.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods of using shear-thinning compositions in the treatment of a vascular disorders, cancers, infections, abscesses, and fistulas.

Abstract: A delivery device or patch is disclosed that includes a detachable hybrid microneedle depot (d-HMND) for cell delivery. The system includes, in one embodiment, an array of microneedles formed from an outer PLGA shell and an internal gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)-mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) mixture (GMM). The array of microneedles project from a base substrate layer that may be flexible. The therapeutic device may be applied to a tissue site of interest and the base substrate layer is removed leaving the hybrid microneedles in the tissue at the site of application to deliver MSCs. Other stem/therapeutic cells may also be delivered with the hybrid microneedles.

Abstract: The invention provides injectable, tough hydrogels that can be crosslinked in situ on demand using minimally-invasive methods, such as visible light exposure is an unmet medical challenge. Among the emerging biopolymers for tissue sealing, gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), a naturally-derived biopolymer obtained from denatured collagen, has secured a promising role as a result of its excellent bioadhesion, biodegradation, and biocompatibility. To overcome one of the main shortcomings of GelMA, i.e., brittleness, we hybridized it using methacrylate-modified alginate (AlgMA) to impart ion-induced reversible crosslinking that can dissipate energy under strain. The hybrid GelMA-AlgMA hydrogels provide a photocrosslinkable, injectable, and adhesive platform with an excellent toughness that can be engineered using divalent cations, such as calcium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bio-zipper surgical closure devices configured to provide tension-free support of an incision throughout the healing process. Further, the present invention provides a surgical closure device to be used for urethral tubular closure during a urethroplasty. The present invention relates to methods of using the surgical closure device for the closure of various wounds such as urethral tubular closure during a urethroplasty.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods of using shear-thinning compositions in the treatment of a vascular disorders, cancers, infections, abscesses, and fistulas.

Abstract: Naturally-derived biopolymers, such as proteins and polysaccharides are a promising platform for developing materials that readily adhere to tissues upon chemical crosslinking and provide a regenerative microenvironment. Here, we show that the sealing properties of a model biopolymer sealant, gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), can be precisely controlled by adding a small amount of a synthetic polymer with identically reactive moieties, i.e., poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEG DA). For example, we have discovered a more than 300% improvement in tissue sealing capability of 20% (w/v) GelMA adhesive can be obtained by adding only 2-3% (v/v) PEGDA, without any significant effect on the sealant degradation time scale. These hybrid hydrogels with improved sealing properties are suitable for sealing stretchable organs, such as bladder, as well as for the anastomosis of tubular tissues/organs.