Abstract: Connective tissue regenerative compositions and methods of repairing and regenerating connective tissue using such compositions are provided. The compositions generally comprise a bioactive hydrogel matrix comprising a polypeptide, such as gelatin, and a long chain carbohydrate, such as dextran. The hydrogel matrix may further include polar amino acids, as well as additional beneficial additives. Advantageously, the compositions include further components, such as osteoinductive or osteoconductive materials, medicaments, stem or progenitor cells, and three-dimensional structural frameworks. The compositions are useful for regenerating connective tissue, and can be administered to an area having injury to, or a loss of, connective tissue, such as bone, cartilage, tendon, and ligament.

Abstract: A method for isolating specific viable cell types from surrounding organ tissue is provided. The method entails the use of sonication in conjunction with tissue dissociating agents to free the cells of interest. A specific application of the method is the isolation of the insulin producing tissue of the pancreas, the islets of Langerhans. The method results in a high yield of islets that maintain a high level of viability.

Abstract: A method for isolating specific viable cell types from surrounding organ tissue is provided. The method entails the use of sonication in conjunction with tissue dissociating agents to free the cells of interest. A specific application of the method is the isolation of the insulin producing tissue of the pancreas, the islets of Langerhans. The method results in a high yield of islets that maintain a high level of viability.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and a device for producing minimal volume capsules containing viable cells or cellular aggregates. The methods and device use a two-phase aqueous emulsion system to form a dispersion of liquid capsule-forming materials in a continuous liquid phase to which is added a suspension of biological material. Alternatively, the biological material can be added to one or the other of the liquid phases. The composition of this emulsion is adjusted to promote the thermodynamically-driven process of particle engulfment by the dispersed droplets of liquid capsule-forming materials. Subsequently, the droplets engulf the biological material to form a liquid film surrounding the tissue and are converted to solid form, resulting in encapsulation of the biological material in minimum volume capsules.