Abstract: The inventions provided herein relate to silk-based scaffolds and methods of producing the same, which can be used for a range of tissue engineering applications. The fabrication methods described herein provide a versatile platform to incorporate hollow conduits (e.g., for nutrient/oxygen delivery) through three-dimensional silk-based scaffolds that have tunable bulk properties (e.g., but not limited to, porosity, mechanical, degradation rate) and allow endothelialization and/or cell compartmentalization, for engineering a variety of complex tissue equivalents.

Abstract: Described are cell culture solutions and systems for epithelial stem cell and organoid cultures, formation of epithelial constructs and uses of the same in transplantation.

Abstract: Described are cell culture solutions and systems for epithelial stem cell and organoid cultures, formation of epithelial constructs and uses of the same in transplantation. A single layer of epithelial cells that actively self-renews and is organized into crypts and villi clothes the intestine. It has been recently shown that the renewal of intestinal epithelium is driven by Lgr5+ intestinal stem cells (ISC) that reside at the base of these crypts (Barker et al., 2007). Lgr5+ stem cells can be isolated and cultured in vitro to form organoids containing crypt-vcllus structures that recapitulates the native intestinal epithelium (Sato et al., 2009).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, compositions, kits, and agents useful for inducing ? cell maturation, and isolated populations of SC-? cells for use in various applications, such as cell therapy.

Abstract: A platelet-rich plasma composed of aseptically recovered umbilical cord blood is provided, as well as uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heart valve and, more particularly, to a mold and process shaping and securing cells and tissue layers as they are grown in three-dimensions into a heart valve.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolated populations of multipotent stem cells capable of differentiating into trabecular meshwork (TM) cells, methods of obtaining an isolated population of TM cells, and isolated populations of TM cells obtained therefrom. Compositions, kits, and devices comprising the isolated populations of multipotent stem cells or TM cells are also provided herein. Further provided are methods of using the compositions, kits, and devices for decreasing intraocular pressure in an eye, increasing cell density in a trabecular meshwork of an eye, increasing outflow of aqueous humor from an eye, or treating or preventing a medical condition in a subject.

Abstract: Ice recrystallization inhibitor (IRI) compounds and methods for cryopreserving umbilical cord blood are provided. The compounds are unsubstituted, mono-substituted, or di-substituted aryl-aldonamides. The methods include fractionating whole umbilical cord blood to generate a fraction comprising hematopoietic stem cells, mixing the hematopoietic stem cells with at least one IRI compound to form an IRI suspension, and freezing the IRI suspension.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dry composition, which upon addition of an aqueous medium forms a substantially homogenous paste suitable for use in haemostasis procedures. The paste forms spontaneously upon addition of the liquid, hence no mechanical mixing is required for said paste to form. The invention further relates to methods of preparing said dry composition, a paste made from said dry composition and use of said paste for medical and surgical purposes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an a process for manufacturing dry powder cell culture media. The preparation and usage of mixed particles generated by co-lyophilisation leads to homogenously blended cell culture media.

Abstract: Methods for treating degenerative disc disease by administering a human birth tissue material composition are provided. The method includes the step of administering a human birth tissue material composition onto or into at least one intervertebral disc or intervertebral space in need of treatment.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition and a method for inducing pluripotency in non-pluripotent eukaryotic cells. The composition comprises chemical inducers of pluripotency (CIPs) including glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) inhibitors, TGFp receptor inhibitors, cyclic AMP agonists, S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (SAH) inhibitors, and optionally an agent that promotes histone acetylation. The method comprises contacting a cell with the CIPs for a sufficient period of time to reprogram the cell into a pluripotent stem cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the sequential and temporally-regulated administration of pancreatic transcription factors to induce non-pancreatic cells to transdifferentiate and mature along the pancreatic ?-cell lineage. The present invention also provides methods for identifying, isolating and enriching transdifferentiation predisposed cells and methods for treating a degenerative pancreatic disorder such as diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for cellular seeding onto three-dimensional fibroblast constructs, three-dimensional fibroblast constructs seeded with muscle cells, and uses therefore.

Abstract: A tubular braided mesh scaffold for fabrication of heart valves is described. The tubular braided scaffold can be formed of a shape memory metal, such as Nitinol, and pinched or pressed to form a leaflet shape. When heat treated, the braided mesh scaffold holds and retains its valve-like shape.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing a membrane comprising an oxidoreductase enzyme in an environment having a relative humidity, comprises: irradiating the membrane comprising an oxidoreductase enzyme with gamma radiation under vacuum at a relative humidity lower than the relative humidity of the environment. Associated biosensors are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods for decellularizing an organ or tissue comprising conditioning the organ or tissue to be decellularized by exposing the organ or tissue to electricity, as well as methods of using such decellularized organs or tissues.

Abstract: Methods and kits for producing cellular fractions enriched in adipose derived stem cells. Methods are provided where adipose tissue obtained from liposuction is enzymatically treated using a solution containing collagenase and divalent cations prior to the application of traditional methods of stromal-vascular fraction isolation. The enzymatic solutions may contain collagenase types I and II to a final concentration of about 0.001 mg/ml to 0.010 mg/ml. The divalent cations may be present as calcium, magnesium, and zinc chloride. The final concentration of calcium, magnesium, and zinc may range from about 0.001 to 0.1 micromolar; about 0.005 to 0.5 micromolar; and about 0.0015 to 0.15 micromolar, respectively. The enzymatic solutions may be generated using a kit where the collagenase and divalent components are held in separate containers until just prior to use. The cellular fractions isolated in this manner may be used in autologous fat grafts in therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cryopreservation (freezing) medium which can be used for long-term storage of cell lines, tissue samples, sperms, oocytes and embryos. The invention enables to freeze and store cells without affecting cell viability, to increase cell viability and to protect multipotent properties of the cells. The invention facilitates freezing and storing sperms, eggs, embryos, plant cells and materials, cancer and sensitive cell lines, stem cells (embryonic and mesenchymal), blood and blood cells and biological material and organs.

Abstract: The invention provides improved methods for preparing hematopoietic cells for transplantation and the resulting improved hematopoietic cell compositions. The invention further relates to improved culture media and methods of culturing, processing, modulating, and expanding blood cell products for hematopoietic transplantation.