Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for deriving human hematopoietic progenitors, primitive macrophages, and microglial cells from human pluripotent stem cells. In particular, provided herein are highly efficient and reproducible methods of obtaining human primitive macrophages and microglia from human pluripotent stem cells, where the primitive macrophages and microglia can be suitable for clinically relevant therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to three-dimensional (3D) tissue constructs and methods of using such 3D tissue constructs to screen for neurotoxic agents. In particular, provided herein are methods of producing and using complex, highly uniform human tissue models comprising physiologically relevant human cells, where the tissue models have the degree of sample uniformity and reproducibility required for use in quantitative high-throughput screening applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for deriving human hematopoietic progenitors, primitive macrophages, and microglial cells from human pluripotent stem cells. In particular, provided herein are highly efficient and reproducible methods of obtaining human primitive macrophages and microglia from human pluripotent stem cells, where the primitive macrophages and microglia can be suitable for clinically relevant therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to three-dimensional (3D) tissue constructs and methods of using such 3D tissue constructs to screen for neurotoxic agents. In particular, provided herein are methods of producing and using complex, highly uniform human tissue models comprising physiologically relevant human cells, where the tissue models have the degree of sample uniformity and reproducibility required for use in quantitative high-throughput screening applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for deriving human hematopoietic progenitors, primitive macrophages, and microglial cells from human pluripotent stem cells. In particular, provided herein are highly efficient and reproducible methods of obtaining human primitive macrophages and microglia from human pluripotent stem cells, where the primitive macrophages and microglia can be suitable for clinically relevant therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Patterned hydrogel arrays and methods of preparing patterned hydrogel arrays are disclosed. Advantageously, the methods used to prepare the patterned hydrogel arrays allow for controlling individual hydrogel spot conditions such as hydrogel spot modulus, hydrogel spot ligand identity and hydrogel spot ligand density, which allows for preparing a wide range of hydrogel spots in a single array format. Patterned hydrogel arrays can also be formed to include hydrogel-free pools surrounded by hydrogel. Additionally, the patterned hydrogel arrays of the present disclosure support the culture of a range of cell types. The patterned hydrogel arrays offer the ability to rapidly screen substrate components for influencing cell attachment, spreading, proliferation, migration, and differentiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for deriving human hematopoietic progenitors, primitive macrophages, and microglial cells from human pluripotent stem cells. In particular, provided herein are highly efficient and reproducible methods of obtaining human primitive macrophages and microglia from human pluripotent stem cells, where the primitive macrophages and microglia can be suitable for clinically relevant therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Hydrogel Compositions and methods of using hydrogel compositions are disclosed. Advantageously, the hydrogel compositions offer the ability to rapidly screen substrate components for influencing cell attachment, spreading, proliferation, migration, and differentiation. In particularly suitable embodiments, the hydrogel compositions of the present disclosure may be used to promote tubulogenesis of endothelial cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for deriving human hematopoietic progenitors, primitive macrophages, and microglial cells from human pluripotent stem cells. In particular, provided herein are highly efficient and reproducible methods of obtaining human primitive macrophages and microglia from human pluripotent stem cells, where the primitive macrophages and microglia can be suitable for clinically relevant therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to three-dimensional (3D) tissue constructs and methods of using such 3D tissue constructs to screen for neurotoxic agents. In particular, provided herein are methods of producing and using complex, highly uniform human tissue models comprising physiologically relevant human cells, where the tissue models have the degree of sample uniformity and reproducibility required for use in quantitative high-throughput screening applications.

Abstract: Hydrogel Compositions and methods of using hydrogel compositions are disclosed. Advantageously, the hydrogel compositions offer the ability to rapidly screen substrate components for influencing cell attachment, spreading, proliferation, migration, and differentiation. In particularly suitable embodiments, the hydrogel compositions of the present disclosure may be used to promote tubulogenesis of endothelial cells.

Abstract: Patterned hydrogel arrays and methods of preparing patterned hydrogel arrays are disclosed. Advantageously, the methods used to prepare the patterned hydrogel arrays allow for controlling individual hydrogel spot conditions such as hydrogel spot modulus, hydrogel spot ligand identity and hydrogel spot ligand density, which allows for preparing a wide range of hydrogel spots in a single array format. Patterned hydrogel arrays can also be formed to include hydrogel-free pools surrounded by hydrogel. Additionally, the patterned hydrogel arrays of the present disclosure support the culture of a range of cell types. The patterned hydrogel arrays offer the ability to rapidly screen substrate components for influencing cell attachment, spreading, proliferation, migration, and differentiation.

Abstract: The invention includes sensors and sensing methods for determining cell morphology and/or chemical composition of an analyte. A porous substrate exhibiting a first optical signal is exposed to a target analyte and subsequently monitored for changes in the optical signal. More specifically, a photonic or porous substrate having a well-defined and highly tunable reflectivity or transmission spectrum, such as porous silicon (Si), porous alumina, porous Ge, porous GaAs, porous SiO2 and porous polymer, is used for example. A porous or photonic substrate is exposed to an analyte, such as a cell or other macromolecule, and changes in the scattered light are observed over time to determine cell morphology and/or chemical composition of the analyte using the substrate.

Abstract: The invention includes sensors and sensing methods for determining cell morphology and/or chemical composition of an analyte. A porous substrate exhibiting a first optical signal is exposed to a target analyte and subsequently monitored for changes in the optical signal. More specifically, a photonic or porous substrate having a well-defined and highly tunable reflectivity or transmission spectrum, such as porous silicon (Si), porous alumina, porous Ge, porous GaAs, porous SiO2 and porous polymer, is used for example. A porous or photonic substrate is exposed to an analyte, such as a cell or other macromolecule, and changes in the scattered light are observed over time to determine cell morphology and/or chemical composition of the analyte using the substrate.