Abstract: A method to expand hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) wherein the method comprises obtaining an isolated population of HSPC the culturing the isolated population of HSPC in the presence of a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDAC inhibitor), to form a cultured population, then adding an aminothiol compound to the cultured population.

Abstract: A hydrogel capsule comprising a stem cell core that has been induced to differentiate into a hematopoietic lineage cell, and methods for the production of hematopoietic lineage cells from stem cells encapsulated in a hydrogel.

Abstract: A method to expand hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) wherein the method comprises obtaining an isolated population of HSPC the culturing the isolated population of HSPC in the presence of a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDAC inhibitor), to form a cultured population, then adding an aminothiol compound to the cultured population.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method of processing cell culture data. The data comprises results from a large number of samples, the results being obtained by performing multiple stages of cell culture in succession on each sample. Each stage represents a cell culture treatment having a particular set of conditions, such that each sample follows a protocol specified by the identity and order of the treatments applied to the cell culture. The method includes specifying a subset of the samples that yielded a desired cell culture outcome. The method further includes performing a computer-implemented analysis of the results from the samples in the subset to produce an ordering or grouping for the results. The ordering or grouping helps to identify one or more protocols that are effective for obtaining the desired cell culture outcome. The analysis for producing the ordering or grouping utilizes information on similarities between different protocols.

Abstract: A method for determining the effect of a plurality of culture conditions on a cell, comprising the steps of: a) providing a first set of groups of cell units each comprising one or more cells, and exposing said groups to desired culture conditions; (b) pooling two or more of said groups to form at least one second pool; (c) subdividing the second pool to create a further set of groups of cell units; (d) exposing said further groups to desired culture conditions; (e) optionally, repeating steps (b)-(d) iteratively as required; and (f) optionally assessing the effect on a given cell unit of the culture conditions to which it has been exposed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (21) for welding a first thermoplastic membrane (12) to a second thermoplastic membrane (13), in which at least the first thermoplastic membrane (12) or the second thermoplastic membrane (13) is absorbent. The invention is characterised in that the welding device (21) comprises at least one die (1) including a plurality of laser diodes (2) for emitting a laser beam (F) forming direct, simultaneous and uniform illumination on the illumination surface (23) of the first thermoplastic membrane (12).

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method of processing cell culture data. The data comprises results from a large number of samples, the results being obtained by performing multiple stages of cell culture in succession on each sample. Each stage represents a cell culture treatment having a particular set of conditions, such that each sample follows a protocol specified by the identity and order of the treatments applied to the cell culture. The method includes specifying a subset of the samples that yielded a desired cell culture outcome. The method further includes performing a computer-implemented analysis of the results from the samples in the subset to produce an ordering or grouping for the results. The ordering or grouping helps to identify one or more protocols that are effective for obtaining the desired cell culture outcome. The analysis for producing the ordering or grouping utilises information on similarities between different protocols.

Abstract: There is described a method for identifying a potential modulator of a cell signalling pathway, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a cell of a first cell type, wherein said first cell type may be differentiated to a second cell type via a progenitor cell by sequentially exposing said first cell type to two or more reaction conditions; (b) adding to or replacing at least one of said two or more reaction conditions to which the progenitor cell has been exposed with exposure to one or more different reaction conditions comprising said potential modulator; -and (c) monitoring the differentiation of the first cell type to determine formation of the second cell type.