Abstract: The present invention provides processes for producing a bioengineered lung (BEL) from an acellular lung matrix that has been treated with growth hormones, seeded with primary lung cells, and cultured in a bioreactor. Also provided are BELs and methods of transplanting the BEL into a subject in need of a lung transplant, and methods for using BELs for the study of the lung microbiome and its role in lung development and remodeling.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of producing a decellularized extracellular matrix DC lung from native lung tissue using rapid freeze/thaw cycling to induce cellular damage and the constant circulation of a detergent or peracetic acid and enzymatic digestion with DNAase/RNAase within a continuously rotating bioreactor. Also, provided are methods to produce a functional engineered lung tissue on the DC lung using endogenous lung progenitor cells. In addition, a composition comprising the DC lung and the endogenous lung progenitor cells seeded therein or thereon and an implantable composition comprising the functional engineered lung tissue which are useful in methods of treating a lung to restore at least some function thereto.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to developing treatment for spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury and neural disease using autologous somatic stem cells isolated from peripheral blood. The method identified in the present invention will generate functional neural cells/tissues in order to replace the diseased or damaged neural cells/tissues. In doing so, the cells will not only reverse the motor as well as cognitive dysfunction but will also stabilize the injury site, reduce inflammation and scaring, and halt progressive loss of functional tissue. Further, this method also holds a great promise since it is non-invasive, autologous and can be used acutely.

Abstract: A method for studying scaffold-based tissue engineering approaches in combination with the use of progenitor or stem cells to generate new lung tissue in an in vitro system. The engineered tissue system of this invention is used to monitor lung and immune system exposure of pathogen and/or toxins. The method involves growing engineered lung/immune tissue from progenitor cells in a bioreactor and then exposing the engineered lung/immune tissue to a pathogen and/or toxin. Once exposed, response of the engineered tissue is monitored to determine the effects of exposure to the immune component of the tissue and to lung component of the tissue. This invention also involves development of mixed engineered tissues including a first fully functional engineered tissue such as lung tissue and a second fully functional engineered tissued such as immune tissue from a single animal donor. The mixed systems can include more than two engineered tissues.

Abstract: Somatic lung progenitor cell/polymer constructs are disclosed along with methods for isolating somatic lung progenitor cells from adult mammals, seeding the cells onto or into polymeric scaffolds and allowing the cells to differentiate and proliferate into functional lung tissue/polymer implants. A method for treating lung disease, disorders or injuries is also disclosed.