Abstract: The present invention relates to collagen hydrogels. Particularly, the invention relates to hydrogels comprising a telopeptide collagen (“telo-collagen”) and an atelopeptide collagen (“atelo-collagen”); hydrogels comprising collagen and chitosan; methods of making the hydrogels; methods of reducing gelation of a hydrogel mixture at room temperature; methods of reducing compaction of cells; and methods of culturing cells on such hydrogels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to collagen hydrogels. Particularly, the invention relates to hydrogels comprising a telopeptide collagen (“telo-collagen”) and an atelopeptide collagen (“atelo-collagen”); hydrogels comprising collagen and chitosan; methods of making the hydrogels; methods of reducing gelation of a hydrogel mixture at room temperature; methods of reducing compaction of cells; and methods of culturing cells on such hydrogels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to collagen hydrogels. Particularly, the invention relates to hydrogels comprising a telopeptide collagen (“telo-collagen”) and an atelopeptide collagen (“atelo-collagen”); hydrogels comprising collagen and chitosan; methods of making the hydrogels; methods of reducing gelation of a hydrogel mixture at room temperature; methods of reducing compaction of cells; and methods of culturing cells on such hydrogels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to collagen hydrogels. Particularly, the invention relates to hydrogels comprising a telopeptide collagen (“telo-collagen”) and an atelopeptide collagen (“atelo-collagen”); hydrogels comprising collagen and chitosan; methods of making the hydrogels; methods of reducing gelation of a hydrogel mixture at room temperature; methods of reducing compaction of cells; and methods of culturing cells on such hydrogels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to collagen hydrogels. Particularly, the invention relates to hydrogels comprising a telopeptide collagen (“telo-collagen”) and an atelopeptide collagen (“atelo-collagen”); hydrogels comprising collagen and chitosan; methods of making the hydrogels; methods of reducing gelation of a hydrogel mixture at room temperature; methods of reducing compaction of cells; and methods of culturing cells on such hydrogels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to collagen hydrogels. Particularly, the invention relates to hydrogels comprising a telopeptide collagen (“telo-collagen”) and an atelopeptide collagen (“atelo-collagen”); hydrogels comprising collagen and chitosan; methods of making the hydrogels; methods of reducing gelation of a hydrogel mixture at room temperature; methods of reducing compaction of cells; and methods of culturing cells on such hydrogels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to collagen hydrogels. Particularly, the invention relates to hydrogels comprising a telopeptide collagen (“telo-collagen”) and an atelopeptide collagen (“atelo-collagen”); hydrogels comprising collagen and chitosan; methods of making the hydrogels; methods of reducing gelation of a hydrogel mixture at room temperature; methods of reducing compaction of cells; and methods of culturing cells on such hydrogels.

Abstract: The present provides nuclear localization signaling (NLS) sequences derived from titin, comprised of amino acids 181-220: SVGRATSTAE LLVQGEEEVP AKKTKTIVST AQISESRQTR and fragments thereof, such as amino acids 193-208: VQGEEEVP AKKTKTIV; amino acids 199-208: VPAKKTKTIV; and amino acids 200-206: PAKKTKT. The NLS sequences can be linked to agents, such as peptides, proteins or nucleotides, for transporting the agents into the nucleus of cells, and the NLS-agent complex can be further linked to antibodies or ligands for specific binding to cells. Also provided is a method for constructing cDNAs comprising combining a NLS sequence with a nucleic acid sequence for a target protein for expression and entry of the target protein into the nucleus of cells, which then can perform specific functions therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tissue engineered construct analytical imaging system (10) for use with culture wells (12) having tissue engineered constructs therein, which are positionable in an incubator apparatus (16) or other enclosed environment. The system (10) includes an imaging device (18) in operational communication with the enclosed environment for obtaining data reflective of a well area of interest in the culture well (12), without the removal of the culture well (12) from the enclosed environment. A computer controller (20) can receive data from the imaging device (18), analyze the data and determine desired parameters within the well area of interest and/or output data reflective of the results of the analysis. A computer-implemented method of obtaining and analyzing images of tissue engineered constructs is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cell culture device for applying shear stress and strain on single cells. The device includes at least one channel, at least one cell culture chamber having at least one single-cell attachment surface, a flexible membrane, at least one vacuum channel, and an inlet and an outlet. The inventive single-cell culture assembly fluid flow for applying fluid induced stress and/or substrate induced stress to cultured cells.

Abstract: The present provides nuclear localization signaling (NLS) sequences derived from titin, comprised of amino acids 181-220: SVGRATSTAE LLVQGEEEVP AKKTKTIVST AQISESRQTR and fragments thereof, such as amino acids 193-208: VQGEEEVP AKKTKTIV; amino acids 199-208: VPAKKTKTIV; and amino acids 200-206: PAKKTKT. The NLS sequences can be linked to agents, such as peptides, proteins or nucleotides, for transporting the agents into the nucleus of cells, and the NLS-agent complex can be further linked to antibodies or ligands for specific binding to cells. Also provided is a method for constructing cDNAs comprising combining a NLS sequence with a nucleic acid sequence for a target protein for expression and entry of the target protein into the nucleus of cells, which then can perform specific functions therein.

Abstract: The present provides nuclear localization signaling (NLS) sequences derived from titin, comprised of amino acids 181-220: SVGRATSTAE LLVQGEEEVP AKKTKTIVST AQISESRQTR and fragments thereof, such as amino acids 193-208: VQGEEEVP AKKTKTIV; amino acids 199-208: VPAKKTKTIV; and amino acids 200-206: PAKKTKT. The NLS sequences can be linked to agents, such as peptides, proteins or nucleotides, for transporting the agents into the nucleus of cells, and the NLS-agent complex can be further linked to antibodies or ligands for specific binding to cells. Also provided is a method for constructing cDNAs comprising combining a NLS sequence with a nucleic acid sequence for a target protein for expression and entry of the target protein into the nucleus of cells, which then can perform specific functions therein.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) to grow cell cultures includes an anchor (14) potted to a flexible membrane (12) and an anchor stem (16) to which cells attach. A jig (18) having a trough (46) and at least one passage (52) is positioned adjacent the flexable membrane (12). A method for growing and mechanically conditioning three-dimensional cell constructs begins by drawing the flexible membrane (12) and the anchor stem (14) into the trough (46) by means (20) for flexing the flexible membrane (12) (step 114). Cells are supplied (step 116) and allowed to attach to the anchor stem (16) (step 118). The flexible membrane (12) is released from within the trough (46) (step 120), resulting in a three-dimensional structure (34) of cells attached to the anchor stem (16). The cells grow into the three-dimensional construct (step 130). The structure (34) and/or the construct can be subjected to a regimen of strain for mechanical conditioning of the cells (step 132).