Abstract: A composition of matter is provided comprising a devitalized, acellular tissue-derived scaffold seeded with differentiated cells, particularly pancreatic islet cells, wherein the cells can maintain cell-specific function or structure in culture on the scaffold. Methods of generating same and uses thereof are also provided.

Abstract: A composition of matter is provided comprising a devitalized, acellular tissue-derived scaffold seeded with differentiated cells, particularly pancreatic islet cells, wherein the cells can maintain cell-specific function or structure in culture on the scaffold. Methods of generating same and uses thereof are also provided.

Abstract: Micro-organ cultures which include isolated populations of cells having specific characteristics are described. Salient features of the subject micro-organ cultures include the ability to be maintained in culture for relatively long periods of time, as well as the preservation of an organ microarchitecture which facilitates, for example, cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions analogous to those occurring in the source organ. The micro-organ cultures of the invention can be used in methods for delivering gene products to recipient subjects, for identifying cell proliferative and cell differentiating agents, and identification and isolation of progenitor and stem cells. In addition, the micro-organ cultures of the present invention can be used in methods for identifying inhibitors of cell proliferation, cell differentiation and viral infectivity. In other embodiments, the micro-organ cultures can be used for transplantation.

Abstract: Micro-organ cultures which include isolated populations of cells having specific characteristics are described. Salient features of the subject micro-organ cultures include the ability to be maintained in culture for relatively long periods of time, as well as the preservation of an organ microarchitecture which facilitates, for example, cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions analogous to those occurring in the source organ. The micro-organ cultures of the invention can be used in methods for delivering gene products to recipient subjects, for identifying cell proliferative and cell differentiating agents, and identification and isolation of progenitor and stem cells. In addition, the micro-organ cultures of the present invention can be used in methods for identifying inhibitors of cell proliferation, cell differentiation and viral infectivity. In other embodiments, the micro-organ cultures can be used for transplantation.

Abstract: Micro-organ cultures which include isolated populations of cells having specific characteristics are described. Salient features of the subject micro-organ cultures include the ability to be maintained in culture for relatively long periods of time, as well as the preservation of an organ microarchitecture which facilitates, for example, cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions analogous to those occurring in the source organ. The micro-organ cultures of the invention can be used in methods for delivering gene products to recipient subjects, for identifying cell proliferative and cell differentiating agents, and identification and isolation of progenitor and stem cells. In addition, the micro-organ cultures of the to present invention can be used in methods for identifying inhibitors of cell proliferation, cell differentiation and viral infectivity. In other embodiments, the micro-organ cultures can be used for transplantation.

Abstract: A composition of matter is provided comprising a devitalized, acellular tissue-derived scaffold seeded with differentiated cells, particularly pancreatic islet cells, wherein the cells can maintain cell-specific function or structure in culture on the scaffold. Methods of generating same and uses thereof are also provided.

Abstract: A method of delivering a gene product to a recipient, the method comprises (a) providing a micro-organ explant expressing at least one recombinant gene product, the micro-organ explant comprising a population of cells, the micro-organ explant maintaining a microarchitecture and a three dimensional structure of an organ from which it is obtained and at the same time having dimensions selected so as to allow diffusion of adequate nutrients and gases to cells in the micro-organ explant and diffusion of cellular waste out of the micro-organ explant so as to minimize cellular toxicity and concomitant death due to insufficient nutrition and accumulation of the to waste in the micro-organ explant, at least some of the cells of the population of cells of the micro-organ explant expressing at least one recombinant gene product; and (b) implanting the micro-organ explant in the recipient.

Abstract: A method of delivering a gene product to a recipient, the method comprises (a) providing a micro-organ explant expressing at least one recombinant gene product, the micro-organ explant comprising a population of cells, the micro-organ explant maintaining a microarchitecture and a three dimensional structure of an organ from which it is obtained and at the same time having dimensions selected so as to allow diffusion of adequate nutrients and gases to cells in the micro-organ explant and diffusion of cellular waste out of the micro-organ explant so as to minimize cellular toxicity and concomitant death due to insufficient nutrition and accumulation of the waste in the micro-organ explant, at least some of the cells of the population of cells of the micro-organ explant expressing at least one recombinant gene product; and (b) implanting the micro-organ explant in the recipient.

Abstract: Methods of generating, and isolating adult stem cells and utilizing such cells and/or embryonic stem cells in generating tissue of a specific function and micro-architecture are provided.

Abstract: A genetically modified micro-organ explant expressing at least one recombinant gene product, the micro-organ explant comprises a population of cells, the micro-organ explant maintaining a microarchitecture and a three dimensional structure of an organ from which it is obtained and at the same time having dimensions selected so as to allow diffusion of adequate nutrients and gases to cells in the micro-organ explant and diffusion of cellular waste out of the micro-organ explant so as to minimize cellular toxicity and concomitant death due to insufficient nutrition and accumulation of the waste in the micro-organ explant, at least some of the cells of the population of cells of the micro-organ explant expressing at least one recombinant gene product.

Abstract: A method of delivering a gene product to a recipient, the method comprises (a) providing a micro-organ explant expressing at least one recombinant gene product, the micro-organ explant comprising a population of cells, the micro-organ explant maintaining a microarchitecture and a three dimensional structure of an organ from which it is obtained and at the same time having dimensions selected so as to allow diffusion of adequate nutrients and gases to cells in the micro-organ explant and diffusion of cellular waste out of the micro-organ explant so as to minimize cellular toxicity and concomitant death due to insufficient nutrition and accumulation of the waste in the micro-organ explant, at least some of the cells of the population of cells of the micro-organ explant expressing at least one recombinant gene product; and (b) implanting the micro-organ explant in the recipient.

Abstract: Micro-organ cultures which include isolated populations of cells having specific characteristics are described. Salient features of the subject micro-organ cultures include the ability to be maintained in culture for relatively long periods of time, as well as the preservation of an organ microarchitecture which facilitates, for example, cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions analogous to those occurring in the source organ. The micro-organ cultures of the invention can be used in methods for delivering gene products to recipient subjects, for identifying cell proliferative and cell differentiating agents, and identification and isolation of progenitor and stem cells. In addition, the micro-organ cultures of the present invention can be used in methods for identifying inhibitors of cell proliferation, cell differentiation and viral infectivity. In other embodiments, the micro-organ cultures can be used for transplantation.

Abstract: Micro-organ cultures which include isolated populations of cells having specific characteristics are described. Salient features of the subject micro-organ cultures include the ability to be maintained in culture for relatively long periods of time, as well as the preservation of an organ microarchitecture which facilitates, for example, cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions analogous to those occurring in the source organ. The micro-organ cultures of the invention can be used in methods for delivering gene products to recipient subjects, for identifying cell proliferative and cell differentiating agents, and identification and isolation of progenitor and stem cells. In addition, the micro-organ cultures of the present invention can be used in methods for identifying inhibitors of cell proliferation, cell differentiation and viral infectivity. In other embodiments, the micro-organ cultures can be used for transplantation.

Abstract: Methods of generating, and isolating adult stem cells and utilizing such cells and/or embryonic stem cells in generating tissue of a specific function and micro-architecture are provided.

Abstract: A method of determining at least one quantitative or qualitative pharmacological, physiological and/or therapeutic, parameter or effect of a recombinant gene product in vivo, the method comprises (a) obtaining at least one micro-organ explant from a donor subject, the micro-organ explant comprising a population of cells, the micro-organ explant maintaining a microarchitecture of an organ from which it is derived and at the same time having dimensions selected so as to allow diffusion of adequate nutrients and gases to cells in the micro-organ explant and diffusion of cellular waste out of the micro-organ explant so as to minimize cellular toxicity and concomitant death due to insufficient nutrition and accumulation of the waste in the micro-organ explant, at least some cells of the population of cells of the micro-organ explant expressing and secreting at least one recombinant gene product; (b) implanting the at least one micro-organ explant in a recipient subject; and (c) determining the at least one quantit

Abstract: A method, extract, and pharmaceutical composition for inducing angiogenesis in a tissue of a mammal, and of a device for the preparation and delivery of micro-organs into a mammal, are provided.

Abstract: A device for performing a biological modification of a fluid, particularly in order to assist or replace the functioning of an organ which normally performs this modification, including a collection of liver micro-organ cultures. The device of the present invention is preferably directly connected to a subject for performing this modification.