Abstract: An extrudable hydrogel composition useful for making a three-dimensional organ construct is described herein. Methods of using the same and products so made are also described. Also described herein is a multicellular organoid including at least two tumor cells or cell lines that are of the same tissue type, but are distinct from one another (e.g., distinct in morphology, growth rate, and/or at least one mutation); and at least one type of non-cancerous (i.e., normal or differentiated) tissue cells, wherein the at least one type of non-cancerous tissue cells are of the same tissue type as the at least two tumor cells or cell lines. In some embodiments, the at least two tumor cells or cell lines and/or the non-cancerous tissue cells are labeled with and/or comprise a detectable compound, optionally so that each of the different cells can be distinguished from each other (e.g., optically and/or electrically distinguished).

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for making extracellular vesicles. In some embodiments, the extracellular vesicles are used in methods for modifying cells and in methods for treating a disease in a subject.

Abstract: A medical device is provided that can be held and operated with a single hand to cause a catheter to be placed at a selected location in a patient's body. The user's other hand is free to perform other tasks, such as operating an ultrasound probe, for example. The medical device may also include a valve that can be operated with the same hand that holds the medical device to open a port to cause a fluid, such as a nerve block agent, for example, to be injected into the patient's body at the selected location.

Abstract: Provided herein is a compound of formula I: and the use thereof for detecting the presence of hydrogen sulfide in cells or tissues in vitro or in vivo. The detecting may be useful, for example, in diagnosing cancer or other diseases related to imbalanced hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production such as neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are surgical tool systems and methods of using such to install a fixator in a biological tissue. The systems are capable of accurately measuring torque and rotational velocity and providing real time feedback to a user during surgery.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for editing the genome of a eukaryotic cell.

Abstract: Provided herein according to some embodiments is an in vitro construct useful as a model for a hematopoietic microenvironment, which may include: a microfluidic device having multiple chambers; and two or more populations of cells (e.g., 3 or 4 populations of cells) (or “niches”) selected from: 1) mesenchymal cells (e.g., Stro-1+; MSC); 2) osteoblasts (OB; optionally said osteoblasts provided by differentiating mesenchymal cells to differentiated osteoblasts); 3) arterial endothelium (e.g., CD146+NG2+; AEC); and 4) sinusoidal endothelium (CD146+NG2?; SEC), wherein each of said two or more populations of cells are provided in a separate chamber of the microfluidic device. Methods of making and using the construct are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are live, artificial, skin substitute products and methods of making and using the same, such as for wound treatment and compound testing, including compound testing for efficacy, toxicity, penetration, irritation and/or metabolism testing of drug candidates or compositions such as cosmetics.

Abstract: Medical kits and methods for performing small incision DLEK include a corneal transplantation donor tissue graft formed into an implantable and compact rolled configuration using the flexible substrate.

Abstract: A method of making an organ or tissue comprises: (a) providing a first dispenser containing a structural support polymer and a second dispenser containing a live cell-containing composition; (b) depositing a layer on said support from said first and second dispenser, said layer comprising a structural support polymer and said cell-containing composition; and then (c) iteratively repeating said depositing step a plurality of times to form a plurality of layers one on another, with separate and discrete regions in each of said layers comprising one or the other of said support polymer or said cell-containing composition, to thereby produce provide a composite three dimensional structure containing both structural support regions and cell-containing regions. Apparatus for carrying out the method and composite products produced by the method are also described.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of inducing cell recruitment and tissue regeneration at a target site in a subject. It is also based, in part, on the discovery that a subject's own biologic resources and environmental conditions can be used for in situ tissue regeneration and thereby reduce or eliminate the need for donor cell procurement and ex vivo manipulation of such donor cells. Methods are disclosed for recruitment of a subject's own stem cells to a target region by inducing a sustained positive pressure at a target site, such as the kidney, thereby increasing the number of pluripotent cells capable of differentiating to regenerate the target tissue.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of forming a ventricular support device for a diseased heart, including providing imaging data of the diseased heart, forming a three-dimensional (3D) heart model based on the imaging data, providing strain data including a plurality of strain estimates for at least one segment of the diseased heart, mapping the plurality of strain estimates onto corresponding portions of the 3D heart model to form a 3D diseased heart model, based on the 3D diseased heart model, forming a model of the ventricular support device configured to surround at least a portion of the diseased heart and provide support based upon said strain estimates, and converting the model of the ventricular support device to a digital file useful for directing a 3D printer device to print said ventricular support device for said diseased heart. Also provided is a customized ventricular support device so produced.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the selective silencing of neurons in pain pathway by using a combination of inhibitory light-sensitive protein gene transfer and wavelength specific illumination.

Abstract: Provided herein is a delivery system, including: (a) an optical sensor configured to detect data to create a map of a patient bodily surface; and (b) a dispenser operatively associated with the optical sensor and configured to deliver compositions (optionally including cells) to the patient bodily surface based upon the data or map. Methods of forming a tissue on a patient bodily surface of a patient in need thereof are also provided, as are methods, systems and computer program products useful for processing patient bodily surface data.

Abstract: Provided herein are cell compositions useful for making artificial liver constructs. The cell composition my include, in combination, (a) hepatocyte cells, (b) Kuppfer cells, (c) hepatic stellate cells, (d) sinusoidal endothelial cells, and (e) cholangiocyte cells.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides therapeutic methods and compositions for the treatment of bacterial infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. In particular, methods are provided for increasing protective antibody levels induced by pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an agent that inhibits the interaction between a PD-1 ligand and a PD-1 polypeptide. Immunogenic compositions are also provided comprising one or more pneumococcal polysaccharide antigens and an agent that inhibits the interaction between a PD-1 ligand and a PD-1 polypeptide.

Abstract: Provided herein is a construct comprising, in combination: an EphA3, EphA2 and/or EphB2 binding ligand; and at least one effector molecule. In some embodiments, the at least one effector molecule comprises a therapeutic agent, a nanoparticle, a detectable group, a lipid, or a liposome. In some embodiments, the construct is a fusion protein and/or a covalent conjugate. Further provided is a construct comprising, in combination: a ligand that binds to EphA2, EphA3 and/or EphB2; a ligand that binds to IL-13R?2; and at least one effector molecule. Also provided are methods of use thereof for treating cancer.

Abstract: This invention relates to C-X-C motif chemokine 12 (CXCL12), also known as stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1), vectors encoding the same, and methods of using the same for a male subject that has undergone prostate surgery to treat urological symptoms of the surgery.

Abstract: Provided herein are monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind IL-13RA2 with cross-reactivity in humans and canines. Also provided are methods of use of the antibodies in the treatment and monitoring of cancers.

Abstract: Methods for decellularizing organs and tissues in vitro and in vivo are provided, as are methods of maintaining organ and tissue frameworks and methods of recellularizing organs and tissues, thereby providing an approach to needed organs or tissues.