Abstract: Flat panel biofilm photobioreactor systems with a photosynthetic, autofermentative microorganism that forms a biofilm and methods for using the same to make metabolic intermediate compound(s) through photosynthesis and to convert metabolic intermediate compound(s) into chemical product(s) such as a biofuel or a feedstock through autofermentation.

Abstract: A first cell mass substantially containing only either one of mesenchymal cells or epithelial cells and a second cell mass substantially containing only the other one of the cells are positioned in contact with each other inside a support carrier which can maintain a condition of cell contact; and cultured to obtain a tooth having a specific cell placement. Preferably, after the culturing, the support carrier having both cell masses is cultured with kidney cells.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of procuring allograft tissue. In an embodiment, the method includes inserting an allograft through an opening into a procurement extraction container, sealing the opening, adding extraction fluid through a second opening, agitating the fluid, collecting the fluid for detection of contamination, and sealing the second opening. There is disclosed a procurement extraction container. In one embodiment, the container includes a wall defining an interior to receive the allograft, an opening into the interior, sized to receive the allograft, a closure device for the opening, the closure device providing a hermetic seal, a second opening providing a second passageway into the interior, the second opening having a connector interface and a second closure device providing a hermetic seal so as to provide, with the first closure and the at least one wall, a sterile barrier. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of procuring allograft tissue. In an embodiment, the method includes inserting an allograft through an opening into a procurement extraction container, sealing the opening, adding extraction fluid through a second opening, agitating the fluid, collecting the fluid for detection of contamination, and sealing the second opening. There is disclosed a procurement extraction container. In one embodiment, the container includes a wall defining an interior to receive the allograft, an opening into the interior, sized to receive the allograft, a closure device for the opening, the closure device providing a hermetic seal, a second opening providing a second passageway into the interior, the second opening having a connector interface and a second closure device providing a hermetic seal so as to provide, with the first closure and the at least one wall, a sterile barrier. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

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: Genes and strains of recombinant microorganisms are provided that are engineered to produce fatty alcohols and fatty alcohol derivatives. The organisms can include one, two, three or more transgenes that direct the biosynthesis of one or more fatty alcohols or derivatives. Methods of producing fatty alcohols using transgenic microorganisms are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to secreted proteins from cardiac stem cells (cardiospheres and cardiosphere-derived cells) or myocytes for diagnostic and/or therapeutic use.

Abstract: The apparatus for cell or tissue culture comprises a base plate (1), an intermediate face (2) and a top plate (3). The intermediate face (2) is removably sandwiched between the base plate (1) and the top plate (3). The base plate (1) has a circumferential wall (13), a base (14) and a top wall (16). The top wall (16) of the base plate (1) comprises a plurality of recesses (12) arranged in n lines, wherein n is an integer from 1 to about 25. Each line of recesses (12) ranges from a first recess to a last recess. Each recess has a circumferential recess wall (15), which has one recess inlet and one recess outlet (40, 41). The circumferential wall (13) comprises a number of 2 n ports (11). Each port (11) is coupled to a single line of recesses (12).

Abstract: The present invention is in the area of coagulation analysis and relates to a reagent which is based on recombinant or native tissue factor and phospholipids and which can be stabilized by adding a polyphenol.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter concerns a process for the co-production of glucosamine polymers (chitin, chitosan or any of its derivatives) and polymers containing glucose, mannose and/or galactose, by the high cell density fermentation of the yeast Pichia pastoris in a bioreactor under aerobic conditions. The process can include the use of glycerol byproduct from the biodiesel industry as carbon source. Pure glycerol, pure methanol, glycerol-rich or methanol rich mixtures may also be used as carbon sources. The P. pastoris fermentation process can be duly optimized for attaining high cell densities and high cell wall chitin content. The disclosed subject matter also concerns polymers containing glucose, mannose and/or galactose.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the reconstruction of a tissue-engineered human corneal endothelium. Human corneal endothelial cells are cultured in vitro to logarithmic growth phase using 20% calf bovine serum-containing DMEM/F12 medium. Trypsin is used to digest epithelial layer of the freeze-dried human amniotic membrane in order to produce denuded human amniotic membrane as scaffold carriers. The scaffold carriers are tiled on the bottom of culture plate wells until they are dried and completely adhered to the bottom of wells. Human corneal endothelial cells at logarithmic growth phase are re-suspended in DMEM/F12 medium containing type-IV collagen and 20% calf bovine serum. Human corneal endothelial cell suspension is subsequently inoculated to amniotic membrane scaffold carriers that are tiled on the bottom of wells in culture plate to launch in vitro culture as well as in vitro reconstruction of tissue-engineered human corneal endothelium. This invention is scientific and rational.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and means for the neutralization, binding, and/or inactivation of antimicrobials in a test sample. The invention is also directed to a method of detecting the presence of one or more microorganisms in a test sample by culturing the test sample in a culture media comprising one or more primary amine-containing compounds.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of producing cardiomyocytes having a nodal/pacemaker phenotype and cardiomyocytes having an atrial/ventricular phenotype. Isolated populations of nodal/pacemaker and atrial/ventricular cardiomyocytes are also disclosed. Methods of treating a subject having cardiac arrhythmia and a subject in need of cardiac tissue repair using the isolated populations of nodal/pacemaker cardiomyocytes and atrial/ventricular cardiomyocytes, respectively, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device, said medical device, comprises: a first component having a non-biological material; a second component having a cloned biological material, said second component being attached to said first component, wherein said first component and said second component are operatively associated in a non-living medical device for at least one of treatment, diagnosis, cure, mitigation and prevention of disease, injury, handicap or condition in a living organism. In another aspect, a method comprises: preparing a cloned biological material from a tissue or an organ; attaching said biological material to a medical device; interfacing said biological material with the non-biological material; providing treatment, diagnosis, cure, mitigation and prevention of disease, injury, handicap or condition in a living organism.

Abstract: An antimicrobial composition is provided having a mole ratio of equivalents of silver ion to equivalents of anion of greater than 1. The invention further relates to antimicrobial compositions composed of silver ions and silver salt particles. Also provided are methods for using the compositions of the invention for the treatment of a subject, and methods for conferring antimicrobial protection to an object.

Abstract: The invention provides a use of platelet activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) activity as a biomarker for severe or fatal anaphylaxis in a subject. The level of PAF-AH activity inversely correlates with the susceptibility to severe or fatal anaphylaxis. The use comprises assaying PAF-AH activity in a sample from the subject and comparing the measured activity to a reference value, wherein a lower level of measured PAF-AH activity relative to said reference level of PAF-AH activity indicates a presence of or susceptibility to severe or fatal anaphylaxis in the subject. A method for treating or preventing severe or fatal anaphylaxis in a subject is also provided. The method comprises increasing serum platelet activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) concentration in the subject by administering to the subject, PAF-AH and/or a PAF receptor antagonist. A composition for treating severe or fatal anaphylaxis is also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides a cell growth medium comprising (a) a human platelet lysate free of solid matter greater than 0.22 ?m in diameter, wherein the lysate constitutes from 2% to 15% of the total volume of the cell growth medium; (b) a human fresh frozen plasma (FFP) filtrate free of solid matter greater than 0.22 ?m in diameter, wherein the FFP filtrate constitutes from 1% to 10% of the total volume of the cell growth medium; (c) heparin at a concentration of from 0 U/ml to 10 U/ml of the cell growth medium; (d) L-glutamine at a concentration of from 0.5 mM to 10 mM; and (e) a serum-free, low glucose medium suitable for mammalian cell growth, wherein the serum-free, low glucose medium constitutes from 75% to 97% of the total volume of the cell growth medium, and may contain the L-glutamine of part (d); wherein the cell growth medium permits the expansion of human CD34? stem cells and wherein the resulting expanded CD34? stem cells retain the ability to differentiate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bone substitute compositions and methods of their preparation, and their use in a wide variety of clinical applications. The compositions include calcium phosphate, acidic calcium salt, basic calcium salt, sodium hydrogen phosphate and porogen. The compositions further include a mixing liquid. The compositions can optionally include biological signaling molecules and/or a growth compound. Further, the compositions can optionally include a plasticizer.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions of vault complexes containing recombinant membrane lytic proteins, such as an adenovirus protein VI lytic domain, and methods of using the vault complexes to facilitate delivery and entry of a biomolecule into a cell or subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous bioceramic composition for bone repair and method of fabrication of the same. 3D-scaffolds were fabricated with a novel micro- and macro-architecture. Porous scaffolds based on dextrin, dextran, gelatin and biomineral (CaCO3) powder were fabricated by heating and freeze-drying methods. Fabrication of different compositions of porous scaffolds (20, 30 wt % of gelatin, 20, 40 wt % dextrin, 30, 40, 50, 60 wt % dextran bounder with the constant quantity of CaCO3 50 g). The scaffolds properties were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and compression tests.