Abstract: An apparatus for filtering amniotic fluid containing particulate matter and amniotic cells is disclosed, comprising a filter for filtering the particulate matter from the amniotic fluid, a chamber enclosing the filter, wherein the chamber comprises a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and an inlet connector arranged to form a sealing connection between the fluid inlet and an amniotic fluid sample source, wherein, in use, the amniotic fluid pass the filter when flowing from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, whereby particulate matter is deposited on the filter and the amniotic fluid flows through the fluid outlet containing amniotic cells.

Abstract: Methods of reducing T cell activation including co-culturing with T cells, term amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells (TAF-MSCs) isolated from term human amniotic fluid. Other aspects relate to methods of inhibiting macrophage polarization toward the M1 pro-inflammatory phenotype including co-culturing with macrophages TAF-MSCs isolated from term human amniotic fluid. Other aspects relate to methods of inhibiting cytokine secretion from activated Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell (PBMC) including co-culturing with the PBMC tissue-typed TAF-MSCs isolated from human amniotic fluid. Other aspects relate to methods of differentiating TAF-MSC including: obtaining TAF-MSC cells from term amniotic fluid, plating the TAF-MSC cells in limiting dilution to obtain expanded colonies from single cells, and transferring the cells to a differentiation media that contains one or more factor to differentiate the TAF-MSC cells.

Abstract: Maturation signals provided via cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/Exchange proteins activated by cAMP (Epac) signaling during in vitro generation of blood cells from reprogrammed cells or pluripotent stem cells achieve superior function of hematopoietic cells differentiated from stem cells. The cAMP/Epac signaling enables an increased efficiency of production of precursor to blood and to blood cells. These generated blood cells can be utilized for therapeutics, treatments, disease prevention, drug discovery, personalized medicine, regenerative medicine, cell and tissue generation, universal donor banks and related methods and compositions.

Abstract: Methods for purifying, culturing and selecting mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) subpopulations with neonatal quality and adult tissue specificity are for in production of advanced therapeutic medicinal products. In certain examples, term amniotic fluid derived cells having characteristics of lung cells can be isolated. In some the term amniotic fluid derived cells having characteristics of lung cells can be used in the treatment of acute and chronic respiratory diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to method for the separation of cord blood endothelial cells from hematopoietic cells in a manner that preserves the hematopoietic cells' repopulating ability and primitivity, without significantly reducing the yield of hematopoietic cells. The said endothelial cells from cord blood have a utility in cell based therapeutics. The system described takes advantage of the endogenous adherence properties of the cells to facilitate the separation and separate storage of the cell types.