Abstract: Growth of keratinocytes is provided by subjecting a basal medium, insulin, pituitary compound and keratinocytes to cell growth conditions. Cell growth can be provided in the absence of exogenous epidermal growth factor. A conditioned medium results after the keratinocytes are subjected to cell growth conditions, treated keratinocytes are provided, and the treated keratinocytes are subjected to cell growth conditions in a basal medium. The conditioned medium contains autocrine factor. The conditioned medium then is contacted with further keratinocytes to provide a cell growth mixture. The cell growth mixture is subjected to incubation in order to provide replicative DNA synthesis and hence cell proliferation. Cells so provided can be used for dermatological research, toxicological testing and skin grafts.

Abstract: A composition comprising enzymatically digested submucosa of a warm-blooded vertebrate and a method of making that composition is described. More particularly the submucosa is enzymatically digested and gelled to form a shape retaining gel matrix suitable for inducing cell proliferation and growth both in vivo and in vitro.

Abstract: A method is described whereby a dendritic cell derived from the CD34 hematopoietic cell lineage is directed to become a super antigen presenting cell that has been pulsed with tumor cell RNA or RNA expression products. The protocol provides for programming the maturation of dendritic cells to become antigen presenting cells. The protocol further provides for isolating tumor cell RNA from biopsy material that has been prepared in pariffin block storage. The directed dendritic cell is provided with a plurality of tumor markers by using tumor RNA in toto or the poly A+RNA fraction. Once activated the dendritic cells are incubated with T4 and T8 lymphocytes to stimulate and sensitize the T lymphocytes which upon introduction either into a donor host or a nondonor recipient will provide immune response protection.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing a plurality of modified milk growth factors which process includes: providing a milk product extract including a plurality of milk growth factors having basic to approximately neutral isoelectric points and a source of acid; subjecting the milk product extract to transient acidification utilising the acid source; and isolating a plurality of modified milk growth factors from the transiently acidified milk product extract. Also provided are growth promoting compositions, cell culture compositions, and pharmaceutical or veterinary compositions for the treatment of surface wounds, gastrointestinal injuries, diseases or ulcers, each including a plurality of modified milk growth factors having isoelectric points above approximately 6.0 and molecular weights in the range of approximately 5000 to 30.000, the milk growth factors being modified by transient acidification.

Abstract: A culture medium for culturing chicken embryonic stem (ES) cells is disclosed. The culture medium is used for supporting avian ES cell cultures. The components of the avian ES cell media include cytokines, fibroblast growth factors, insulin-like growth factors and stem cell growth factors and anti-retinoic acid antibody. The culture medium is substantially free of active retinoic acid. A method for culturing avian ES cells and the resulting products are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating cancer comprising (a) obtaining a tumor cell line, (b) modifying the tumor cell line to render it capable of producing an increased level of a cytokine relative to the unmodified tumor cell line, and (c) administering the tumor cell line to a mammalian host having at least one tumor that is the same type of tumor as that from which the tumor cell line was obtained, wherein the tumor cell line is allogeneic and is not MHC-matched to the host. The present invention also provides a pancreatic tumor cell line, a method and medium for obtaining such a tumor cell line, and a composition comprised of cells of a purified pancreatic tumor cell line.

Abstract: A device for analyzing the in-vitro growth properties of cells is disclosed. The device comprises an upper and lower chamber separated by a growth substrate interface comprising submucosa, preferably tunical submucosa, from a warm-blooded vertebrae. Methods for culturing eukaryotic cells and studying their growth characteristics, including the invasive growth characteristics of tumor cells, on the submucosal matrix are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an expanded non-transformed cell culture of human liver cells comprising the steps of: (1) preparing partially purified, minced human liver tissue, (2) concentrating the resulting cells and tissue pieces, (3) resuspending the concentrated tissue cells and pieces in a growth medium, (4) culturing the resuspended cells in the growth medium for a time and under conditions to effect sustained cell division, and (5) passaging the cultured human liver cells periodically to expand the culture. The growth medium comprises a combination of a basal medium and ingredients to provide a medium in which the cultured human liver cells are selectively proliferated without being transformed, providing an expanded culture of proliferated, functionally differentiated human liver cells that is substantially free of fibroblast, macrophage and capillary endothelial cells.

Abstract: An improved artificial diet or growth medium for rearing entomophages (predatory arthropods and parasitic insects). The diet also finds use as a bait and feeding stimulant for entomophages, and as use as a supplement for artificial diets for phytophagous pests that also display some insect consumption. The growth medium is composed of a mixture of (a) an adherent, fibrous retention substrate, (b) a protein-lipid paste, and (c) a liquid, and provides nutrients in a stabilized form in amounts and proportions effective to support growth of entomophages. An exemplary formulation is a mixture of adherent, fibrous cooked whole egg, ground beef and beef liver protein-lipid paste, and water. The growth medium is suitable for mass production of entomophages at a reasonable cost for use as biological control agents, and is well suited for rearing entomophages that feed by the process of extra-oral digestion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an expanded, enriched, non-transformed human cell culture of human pancreatic, thyroid or parathyroid endocrine cells and other types of cells which comprises (1) preparing partially purified, minced tissue that includes a desired type of cells; (2) concentrating the desired cells; (3) resuspending the concentrated cells in a growth medium which selects in favor of the desired cells and in which those cells are proliferated without being transformed and differentiated functions are retained through periodic passaging; (4) culturing the resuspended cells in the growth medium to effect sustained cell division; and (5) passaging the cultured cells periodically to expand the culture.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of delivering a bioactive compound to an organism that involves growing individual cells in vitro under conditions that allow the formation of an organized tissue, at least a subset of the cells containing a foreign DNA sequence which mediates the production of the bioactive compound; and implanting the organized tissue into the organism, whereby the bioactive compound is produced and delivered to the organism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an expanded non-transformed cell culture comprising the steps of: (1) preparing partially purified, minced tissue; (2) concentrating the resulting cells and tissue pieces; (3) resuspending the concentrated tissue cells and pieces in a culture medium capable of supporting sustained cell division that is contained in a culture vessel; (4) incubating the cells; and (5) passaging the cells periodically. The present invention further provides clonal strains of cells derived from the above-mentioned cell culture, medium and conditioned medium designed for the culturing of parotid cells and other glandular cells such as pancreatic, thyroid, and parathyroid, and cells, and the use of cultured pancreatic cells to form pancreatic pseudotissues composed of matrix-embedded aggregated (pseudoislets) or individual cells, to treat blood sugar disorders in mammals, and to test for cytotoxicity and autoimmune activities with reference to pancreatic endocrine cells.

Abstract: An improved artificial diet or growth medium for rearing entomophages (predatory arthropods and parasitic insects). The growth medium is composed of a mixture of (a) an adherent, fibrous retention substrate, (b) a protein-lipid paste, and (c) a liquid, and provides nutrients in a stabilized form in amounts and proportions effective to support growth of entomophages. An exemplary formulation is a mixture of adherent, fibrous cooked whole egg, ground beef and beef liver protein-lipid paste, and water. The growth medium is suitable for mass production of entomophages at a reasonable cost for use as biological control agents, and is well suited for rearing entomophages that feed by the process of extra-oral digestion.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing interstitial cystitits in an individual and a kit for the method, comprising the steps of: obtaining primary cultures of urothelial cells; selecting urothelial cells of basal type and producing secondary cultures; measuring in secondary cultures (1) percentage of single cells and percentage of large colonies; (2) determining proliferative ability; (3) determining differentiation ability; (4) determining the percentage of large colonies that express phosphotyrosine and/or nitrotyrosine; (5) measuring the percentage of apoptotic cells; (6) measuring the percentage of large colonies; and (7) comparing the percentage of the colonies to baseline values of the same parameters determined in samples of similarly cultured urothelial cells taken from individuals not suspected of having interstitial cystitis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an expanded non-transformed cell culture comprising the steps of: (1) preparing partially purified, minced tissue; (2) concentrating the resulting cells and tissue pieces; (3) resuspending the concentrated tissue cells and pieces in a culture medium capable of supporting sustained cell division that is contained in a culture vessel; (4) incubating the cells; and (5) passaging the cells periodically. The present invention further provides clonal strains of cells derived from the above-mentioned cell culture, medium and conditioned medium designed for the culturing of such cells, including pancreatic, thyroid, parathyroid, and parotid cells, and the use of cultured pancreatic cells to form pancreatic pseudotissues composed of matrix-embedded aggregated (pseudoislets) or individual cells, to treat blood sugar disorders in mammals, and to test for cytotoxicity and autoimmune activities with reference to pancreatic endocrine cells.

Abstract: A method of culturing non-transformed mammalian respiratory epithelial cells in vitro. The method includes the steps of harvesting the epithelial cells from the respiratory tract of a mammalian donor; suspending the epithelial cells in a fluid culture medium to form a cell suspension; introducing the cell suspension into a first reservoir in communication with an adherence substrate; introducing additional fluid culture medium into a second reservoir separated from the first reservoir by a fluid permeable baffle; incubating the cells under conditions suitable for promoting epithelial cell growth for a period of at least 72 hours; and changing the fluid culture medium within the second reservoir during the incubation period at intervals of approximately 24-72 hours without disturbing the epithelial cells within the first reservoir. Preferably, the epithelial cells are harvested from the nasal mucosa of a human donor using a minimally-invasive brushing technique.

Abstract: A cell culture growth substrate comprising submucosal tissue of a warm-blooded vertebrate and a method for culturing eukaryotic cells are described. Submucosal tissue used in accordance with the present invention supports the proliferation and differentiation of eukaryotic cells when said cells are contacted with submucosal tissue under conditions conducive to cell proliferation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a serum-free eukaryotic cell culture medium supplement. The supplement comprises carbon sources, vitamins, inorganic salts, amino acids and a protein digest.The medium supplement of the present invention enables the maintenance of mammalian cell cultures at cell densities equal to or greater than that obtained with batch culture methods while increasing longevity and productivity.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the culture of human primary carcinomas and in situ carcinomas. Feeder layers derived from a human parotid basal cell carcinoma, having the HMS-1 phenotype, are able to support the growth of the primary carcinomas, and allow for spheroid formation. Invasion inhibiting factors active against human tumors, derived from HMS-1, are also provided.Human basement membrane and extracellular matrix is provided, produced by a tumorigenic cell line, where the basement membrane and extracellular matrix can be used for the growth of a variety of cells, in culture and in vivo. Other related cell lines are provided, which can serve to evaluate in vivo the response of tumorigenic cells to various agents, including basement membrane and extracellular matrix. The basement membrane and extracellular matrix finds use in allowing the growth of cells in culture and in vivo, particularly cells which are otherwise refractory to xenografting.

Abstract: An integrated microfabricated instrument for manipulation, reaction and detection of microliter to picoliter samples. The instrument is suited for biochemical reactions, particularly DNA-based reactions such as the polymerase chain reaction, that require thermal cycling since the inherently small size of the instrument facilitates rapid cycle times. The integrated nature of the instrument provides accurate, contamination-free processing. The instrument may include reagent reservoirs, agitators and mixers, heaters, pumps, and optical or electromechanical sensors. Ultrasonic Lamb-wave devices may be used as sensors, pumps and agitators.