Abstract: The present application provides a composition and methods to enhance nerve regeneration utilizing at least one component of neural stem cells or IL12p40. The composition comprises neural stem cells and a neurotrophic factor, which is constructed by IL12p40 as at least one subunit. The methods to enhance nerve regeneration comprise providing a nerve regeneration composition comprising a neurotrophic factor containing IL12p40 as at least one subunit to a subject. The composition of the methods can further comprise neural stem cells.

Abstract: The present application provides a composition and methods to enhance nerve regeneration utilizing at least one component of neural stem cells or IL12p40. The composition comprises neural stem cells and a neurotrophic factor, which is constructed by IL12p40 as at least one subunit. The methods to enhance nerve regeneration comprise providing a nerve regeneration composition comprising a neurotrophic factor containing IL12p40 as at least one subunit to a subject. The composition of the methods can further comprise neural stem cells.

Abstract: A microfluidic dual-well device is disclosed. The device comprises: (a) a first substrate having a first end, a second end, and a culture microwell forming portion; (b) a plurality of culture microwells; (c) a second substrate having a first end, a second end, and a capture microwell forming portion, the two ends of the second substrate being respectively bounded to the two ends of the first substrate; (d) a plurality of capture microwells; (e) a microfluidic channel; (f) a microfluidic inlet port; and (g) a microfluidic outlet port; wherein the microfluidic channel is in fluidic connections with the culture microwells, the capture microwells, and the inlet and outlet ports. Methods of capturing and transferring a single cell or a single cell colony for culture, and method of transferring a target cell from a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) structure of culture microwells to a culture plate for culture are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present application provides a composition and methods to enhance nerve regeneration utilizing at least one component of neural stem cells or IL12p40. The composition comprises neural stem cells and a neurotrophic factor, which is constructed by IL12p40 as at least one subunit. The methods to enhance nerve regeneration comprise providing a nerve regeneration composition comprising a neurotrophic factor containing IL12p40 as at least one subunit to a subject. The composition of the methods can further comprise neural stem cells.

Abstract: A microfluidic dual-well device is disclosed. The device comprises: (a) a first substrate having a first end, a second end, and a culture microwell forming portion; (b) a plurality of culture microwells; (c) a second substrate having a first end, a second end, and a capture microwell forming portion, the two ends of the second substrate being respectively bounded to the two ends of the first substrate; (d) a plurality of capture microwells; (e) a microfluidic channel; (f) a microfluidic inlet port; and (g) a microfluidic outlet port; wherein the microfluidic channel is in fluidic connections with the culture microwells, the capture microwells, and the inlet and outlet ports. Methods of capturing and transferring a single cell or a single cell colony for culture, and method of transferring a target cell from a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) structure of culture microwells to a culture plate for culture are also disclosed.

Abstract: Implantable nerve regeneration conduits and methods of making the same are disclosed. The implantable nerve regeneration conduits mainly comprise a biodegradable polymer and a metal. Moreover, the conduits may also comprise one or more nerve regeneration enhancing elements, which comprise bioactive molecules or cells. The inner surface of the conduits may be micropatterned photolithographic processes to form microgrooves for facilitating cell alignment.

Abstract: A trifusion reporter plasmid is described that comprises a plasmid operably coupled to a mammalian FGF1B promoter that is operably coupled to a bioluminescence gene fused to a fluorescence gene fused to a nuclear medical imaging gene. The new reporter allows in vivo or ex vivo detection of gene expression in three different ways, in addition to traditional in vitro detection methods. Transgenic animals containing this new trifusion reporter and uses of same are described.

Abstract: A trifusion reporter plasmid is described that comprises a plasmid operably coupled to a mammalian FGF1B promoter that is operably coupled to a bioluminescence gene fused to a fluorescence gene fused to a nuclear medical imaging gene. The new reporter allows in vivo or ex vivo detection of gene expression in three different ways, in addition to traditional in vitro detection methods. Transgenic animals containing this new trifusion reporter and uses of same are described.

Abstract: A trifusion reporter plasmid is described that comprises a plasmid operably coupled to a mammalian FGF1B promoter that is operably coupled to a bioluminescence gene fused to a fluorescence gene fused to a nuclear medical imaging gene. The new reporter allows in vivo or ex vivo detection of gene expression in three different ways, in addition to traditional in vitro detection methods. Transgenic animals containing this new trifusion reporter and uses of same are described.

Abstract: Compositions for promoting growth and/or differentiation of a stem cell are disclosed. The composition comprises: a) a diamond film; b) a stem cell cultured on the diamond film; and c) a medium bathing the stem cell. The stem cell may be a mammalian neural stem cell and the diamond film may comprise a hydrogen-terminated or an oxygen-terminated surface. The hydrogen-terminated surface promotes proliferation and differentiation of a neural stem cell into neurons, and the oxygen-terminated surface promotes a neural stem cell to proliferate and differentiate into oligodendrocytes.

Abstract: Compositions for promoting growth and/or differentiation of a stem cell are disclosed. The composition comprises: a) a diamond film; b) a stem cell cultured on the diamond film; and c) a medium bathing the stem cell. The stem cell may be a mammalian neural stem cell and the diamond film may comprise a hydrogen-terminated or an oxygen-terminated surface. The hydrogen-terminated surface promotes proliferation and differentiation of a neural stem cell into neurons, and the oxygen-terminated surface promotes a neural stem cell to proliferate and differentiate into oligodendrocytes.

Abstract: A trifusion reporter plasmid is described that comprises a plasmid operably coupled to a mammalian FGF1B promoter that is operably coupled to a bioluminescence gene fused to a fluorescence gene fused to a nuclear medical imaging gene. The new reporter allows in vivo or ex vivo detection of gene expression in three different ways, in addition to traditional in vitro detection methods. Transgenic animals containing this new trifusion reporter and uses of same are described.

Abstract: A transgenic, non-human mammal useful for assessing the effect of candidate chemotherapeutic drugs on the growth of brain tumors in vivo is provided. Incorporated into the genome of the transgenic mammal, which preferably is a rodent, is a transgene which comprises a promoter comprising the nuclear factor binding region of the RR2 cis acting element of a fibroblast growth factor 1B (FGF1B) promoter. Operably linked to the promoter is reporter gene comprising a sequence which encodes the SV40 large T antigen. A transgenic, non-human mammal useful for identifying and isolating FGF1 producing brain cells. Incorporated into the genome of these transgenic animals is a transgene which comprises a promoter comprising the nuclear factor binding region of the RR2 cis acting element of an fibroblast growth factor 1B (FGF1B) promoter. Operably linked to the promoter is reporter gene comprising a sequence which encodes a protein or polypeptide other than an SV40 large T antigen.

Abstract: Implantable nerve regeneration conduits and methods of making the same are disclosed. The implantable nerve regeneration conduits mainly comprise a biodegradable polymer and a metal. Moreover, the conduits may also comprise one or more nerve regeneration enhancing elements, which comprise bioactive molecules or cells. The inner surface of the conduits may be micropatterned photolithographic processes to form microgrooves for facilitating cell alignment.

Abstract: A transgenic, non-human mammal useful for assessing the effect of candidate chemotherapeutic drugs on the growth of brain tumors in vivo is provided. Incorporated into the genome of the transgenic mammal, which preferably is a rodent, is a transgene which comprises a promoter comprising the nuclear factor binding region of the RR2 cis acting element of a fibroblast growth factor 1B (FGF1B) promoter. Operably linked to the promoter is reporter gene comprising a sequence which encodes the SV40 large T antigen. A transgenic, non-human mammal useful for identifying and isolating FGF1 producing brain cells. Incorporated into the genome of these transgenic animals is a transgene which comprises a promoter comprising the nuclear factor binding region of the RR2 cis acting element of an fibroblast growth factor 1B (FGF1B) promoter. Operably linked to the promoter is reporter gene comprising a sequence which encodes a protein or polypeptide other than an SV40 large T antigen.

Abstract: Provided are compositions comprising a fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1) for skin care, and methods of use of such compositions. The FGF-1 is constructed into a recombinant expression vector, and characterized by the molecular characteristics. The FGF-1 can modulate mitogenic activities and mediate both the FGF-2 and KGF signaling pathway that can promote proliferation of fibroblast cells and epidermal cells. A mutant FGF-1 has the longer half life than wild type has in virtue of its capabilities of anti-oxidization or no further proteolytic degradation.

Abstract: A transgenic, non-human mammal useful for assessing the effect of candidate chemotherapeutic drugs on the growth of brain tumors in vivo is provided. Incorporated into the genome of the transgenic mammal, which preferably is a rodent, is a transgene which comprises a promoter comprising the nuclear factor binding region of the RR2 cis acting element of a fibroblast growth factor 1B (FGF1B) promoter. Operably linked to the promoter is reporter gene comprising a sequence which encodes the SV40 large T antigen. A transgenic, non-human mammal useful for identifying and isolating FGF1 producing brain cells. Incorporated into the genome of these transgenic animals is a transgene which comprises a promoter comprising the nuclear factor binding region of the RR2 cis acting element of an fibroblast growth factor 1B (FGF1B) promoter. Operably linked to the promoter is reporter gene comprising a sequence which encodes a protein or polypeptide other than an SV40 large T antigen.

Abstract: A transgenic, non-human mammal useful for assessing the effect of candidate chemotherapeutic drugs on the growth of brain tumors in vivo is provided. Incorporated into the genome of the transgenic mammal, which preferably is a rodent, is a transgene which comprises a promoter comprising the nuclear factor binding region of the RR2 cis acting element of a fibroblast growth factor 1B (FGF1B) promoter. Operably linked to the promoter is reporter gene comprising a sequence which encodes the SV40 large T antigen. A transgenic, non-human mammal useful for identifying and isolating FGF1 producing brain cells. Incorporated into the genome of these transgenic animals is a transgene which comprises a promoter comprising the nuclear factor binding region of the RR2 cis acting element of an fibroblast growth factor 1B (FGF1B) promoter. Operably linked to the promoter is reporter gene comprising a sequence which encodes a protein or polypeptide other than an SV40 large T antigen.

Abstract: A transgenic, non-human mammal useful for assessing the effect of candidate chemotherapeutic drugs on the growth of brain tumors in vivo is provided. Incorporated into the genome of the transgenic mammal, which preferably is a rodent, is a transgene which comprises a promoter comprising the nuclear factor binding region of the RR2 cis acting element of a fibroblast growth factor 1B (FGF1B) promoter. Operably linked to the promoter is reporter gene comprising a sequence which encodes the SV40 large T antigen. A transgenic, non-human mammal useful for identifying and isolating FGF1 producing brain cells. Incorporated into the genome of these transgenic animals is a transgene which comprises a promoter comprising the nuclear factor binding region of the RR2 cis acting element of an fibroblast growth factor 1B (FGF1B) promoter. Operably linked to the promoter is reporter gene comprising a sequence which encodes a protein or polypeptide other than an SV40 large T antigen.

Abstract: A transgenic, non-human mammal useful for assessing the effect of candidate chemotherapeutic drugs on the growth of brain tumors in vivo is provided. Incorporated into the genome of the transgenic mammal, which preferably is a rodent, is a transgene which comprises a promoter comprising the nuclear factor binding region of the RR2 cis acting element of a fibroblast growth factor 1B (FGF1B) promoter. Operably linked to the promoter is reporter gene comprising a sequence which encodes the SV40 large T antigen. A transgenic, non-human mammal useful for identifying and isolating FGF1 producing brain cells. Incorporated into the genome of these transgenic animals is a transgene which comprises a promoter comprising the nuclear factor binding region of the RR2 cis acting element of an fibroblast growth factor 1B (FGF1B) promoter. Operably linked to the promoter is reporter gene comprising a sequence which encodes a protein or polypeptide other than an SV40 large T antigen.