Abstract: The present invention provides the use and composition of matter of angiogenic or other growth factors expressed by combining various types and stages of differentiation of allogeneic human cell strains or lines in unencapsulated pastes (mixed with or applied to extracellular matrix material or synthetic biocompatible substances) to be temporarily applied to wounds or defects in the skin or other tissues for the restoration of blood supplying connective tissue to enable organ-specific cells to reestablish organ integrity as well as to inhibit excessive scar formation.

Abstract: Immunostimulatory compositions that contain fused cells formed by fusion between dendritic cells and non-dendritic cells, methods of using these compositions, and methods of generating dendritic cell hybrids.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to asynchronous scanning devices and methods of using asynchronous scanning to acquire fluorescence data from a sample, such as biological tissue, to facilitate diagnosis of the presence or absence of disease or other abnormality in the sample. The present invention is useful for biomedical diagnostics, chemical analysis or other evaluation of the target sample.

Abstract: Multipotent neural stem cell (MNSC) progeny are transplanted into a recipient wherein they augment host tissue. The stem cells have a universal lineage potential and are capable of producing progeny that, in response to appropriate environmental signals, can differentiate into a variety of differentiated cell types, and not just neural lineages. MNSCs can be proliferated ex vivo to provide an unlimited supply of stem cells and stem cell progeny which give rise to the differentiated cell types of various tissues. The stem cells are readily amenable to genetic modification, if desired. They also have the advantage that they can be obtained from autologous adult human tissue and thus overcome prior art problems of transplant rejections.

Abstract: A device is provided containing cells or tissue distributed on a filamentous cell-supporting matrix which is encapsulated by a semi-permeable membrane which can be immunoisolatory. The matrix may be formed of a plurality of monofilaments twisted into yarn that is in non-woven strands, or of the monofilaments or yarn woven into a mesh. Configurations of the matrix include a hollow cylinder, tube, solid cylinder or cord. A coating of extracellular matrix molecules may be on the matrix, or the matrix may be treated with plasma irradiation to enhance cell adhesion. The device can be made by inserting the matrix in a hollow membrane tube, injecting cells or tissue into the tube and sealing ends of the tube. The device is particularly useful for implantation into a mammalian host to provide therapy resulting from a biologically active molecule produced by the cells and tissue.

Abstract: A means for obtaining efficient introduction of exogenous genes into a patient, with long term expression of the gene, is disclosed. The gene, under control of an appropriate promoter for expression in a particular cell type, is encapsulated or dispersed with a biocompatible, preferably biodegradable polymeric matrix, where the gene is able to diffuse out of the matrix over an extended period of time, for example, a period of three to twelve months or longer. The matrix is preferably in the form of a microparticle such as a microsphere (where the gene is dispersed throughout a solid polymeric matrix) or microcapsule (gene is stored in the core of a polymeric shell), a film, an implant, or a coating on a device such as a stent. The size and composition of the polymeric device is selected to result in favorable release kinetics in tissue.

Abstract: An instrument for evaluating fluorescence of a heterogeneous tissue includes means for exciting a two-dimensional portion of the tissue surface with excitation radiation at a plurality of excitation wavelengths, means for collecting emission radiation from the two-dimensional portion of the tissue surface simultaneously with excitation of the portion, and means for forming a two-dimensional excitation-emission map of the excitation radiation and the simultaneously collected emission radiation and spatially averaging the excitation and emission radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of skin defects by organotypically-cultured autologous keratinocytes isolated from the outer root sheath of anagenic or growing hair. Methods for primary, as well as subsequent organotypic cultures (i.e., epidermal equivalents) in fully-defined media supplemented by autologous human serum and substances isolated from blood components, with minimal allogeneic biological supplements, are disclosed herein. Techniques to prepare epidermal equivalents for transplantation by use of a biocompatible glue are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: This invention provides cells containing recombinant polynucleotides coding for cell surface molecules that, when expressed in the cell, result in rejection of the cell by the host immune system. The invention also provides methods of using such cells, and capsules for delivery of biologically active molecules to a patient.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions of controlling cell distribution within a bioartificial organ by exposing the cells to a treatment that inhibits cell proliferation, promotes cell differentiation, or affects cell attachment to a growth surface within the bioartificial organ. Such treatments include (1) genetically manipulating cells, (2) exposing the cells to a proliferation-inhibiting compound or a differentiation-inducing compound or removing the cells from exposure to a proliferation-stimulating compound or a differentiation-inhibiting compound; exposing the cells to irradiation, and (3) modifying a growth surface of the BAO with ECM molecules, molecules affecting cell proliferation or adhesion, or an inert scaffold, or a combination thereof. These treatments may be used in combination.

Abstract: Enriched neural stem and progenitor cell populations, and methods for identifying, isolating and enriching for neural stem cells using reagent that bind to cell surface markers, are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of diagnosing and treating carcinomas, including metastatic thyroid carcinomas using differential gene expression. Also disclosed are novel nucleic acid sequences whose expression is differentially regulated in metastatic and non-metastatic thyroid carcinomas.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for delivering biologically active molecules to the eye by implanting biocompatible capsules containing a cellular source of the biologically active molecule. Also provided is a method of treating ophthalmic diseases using biocompatible capsules.

Abstract: An isolated BLAA polynucleotide and the membrane-associated or secreted polypeptide encoded by the BLAA polynucleotide are disclosed. Also disclosed are the antibodies that immunospecifically bind to a BLAA polypeptide or any derivative, variant, mutant or fragment of the BLAA polypeptide, polynucleotide or antibody. Also disclosed are nucleic acid vectors and host cells containing the nucleic acid sequence of the invention.

Abstract: cDNA libraries may be obtained from neural cell cultures produced by using growth factors to induce the proliferation of multipotent neural stem cells. The libraries may be obtained from both cultured normal and dysfunctional neural cells and from neural cell cultures at various stages of development. This information allows for the identification of the sequence of gene expression during neural development and can be used to reveal the effects of biological agents on gene expression in neural cells. Additionally, nucleic acid derived from dysfunctional tissue can be compared with that of normal tissue to identify genetic material which may be a cause of the dysfunction. This information could then be used in the design of therapies to treat the neurological disorder. A further use of the technology would be in the diagnosis of genetic disorders or for use in identifying neural cells at a particular stage in development.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions of controlling cell distribution within a bioartificial organ by exposing the cells to a treatment that inhibits cell proliferation, promotes cell differentiation, or affects cell attachment to a growth surface within the bioartificial organ. Such treatments include (1) genetically manipulating cells, (2) exposing the cells to a proliferation-inhibiting compound or a differentiation-inducing compound or removing the cells from exposure to a proliferation-stimulating compound or a differentiation-inhibiting compound; exposing the cells to irradiation, and (3) modifying a growth surface of the BAO with ECM molecules, molecules affecting cell proliferation or adhesion, or an inert scaffold, or a combination thereof. These treatments may be used in combination.

Abstract: Methods are described for the production of neurons or neuronal progenitor cells. Multipotent neural stem cells are proliferated in the presence of growth factors and erythropoietin which induces the generation of neuronal progenitor cells. The erythropoietin may be exogenously applied to the multipotent neural stem cells, or alternatively, the cells can be subjected to hypoxic insult which induces the cells to express erythropoietin.

Abstract: ARPE-19 cells were evaluated as a platform cell line for encapsulated and un-encapsulated cell-based delivery technology. ARPE-19 cells were found to be hardy (the cell line is viable under stringent conditions, such as in central nervous system or intra-ocular environment); can be genetically modified to secrete the protein of choice; has a long life span; is of human origin; has good in vivo device viability; delivers efficacious quantity of growth factor; triggers no or low level host immune reaction, and is non-tumorigenic.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for expanding cells that are not abundant or are difficult to obtain in pure form in culture, are in short supply (e.g., human cells), or have brief lifetimes in culture, using fusion polypeptide. The fusion polypeptide has a first region having the transport function of herpesviral VP22 protein or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) TAT protein, and a second region with a polypeptide having cell immortalization activity, a polypeptide having telomerase-specific activity, or a polypeptide having telomerase gene activation activity. The resulting cells of the invention are suitable for use in cell therapy.

Abstract: A method for determining the viral retentivity of an external jacket of an implantable permselective macrocapsule. Viral retentivity describes the ability of an external jacket to retard the transport of virus particles across the jacket.