Abstract: Disclosed is a method for obtaining differentiated cells and/or differentiated cell products, including the steps of: introducing undifferentiated cells into a perfused organ or living tissue; subjecting the undifferentiated cells introduced to perfusion culture together with the organ or living tissue so as to allow the undifferentiated cells to differentiate, thereby obtaining differentiated cells and/or differentiated cell products; collecting a perfusion culture solution that contains the resulting differentiated cells and/or differentiated cell products; and obtaining the differentiated cells and/or differentiated cell products contained in the collected perfusion culture solution.

Abstract: The described invention provides an ex vivo dynamic multiple myeloma (MM) cancer niche contained in a microfluidic device. The dynamic MM cancer niche includes (a) a three-dimensional tissue construct containing a dynamic ex vivo bone marrow (BM) niche, which contains a mineralized bone-like tissue containing viable osteoblasts self-organized into cohesive multiple cell layers and an extracellular matrix secreted by the viable adherent osteoblasts; and a microenvironment dynamically perfused by nutrients and dissolved gas molecules; and (b) human myeloma cells seeded from a biospecimen composition comprising mononuclear cells and the multiple myeloma cells. The human myeloma cells are in contact with osteoblasts of the BM niche, and the viability of the human myeloma cells is maintained by the MM cancer niche.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of processing a biomass, e.g., for producing lipid and non-lipid materials, by inducing autolysis of a biomass. The biomass may be generated using any species of microorganism and any available biodegradable substrate, including waste materials. The lipid and non-lipid materials are present in two separate layers of the autolysate, and they can be used to generate valuable products such as biofuels and nutritional supplements. The present invention further provides a processing apparatus useful for practicing the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can convert feedstock materials to a sugar solution, especially, xylose, which can then be chemically converted to furfural and furfural-derived products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic device, a microfluidic system, and methods for tracking single cells, multiple cells, single cell lineages, and multiple cell lineages in series and/or in parallel. The microfluidic device comprises a substrate having one microfluidic channel formed therein or a plurality of microfluidic channels formed therein and arranged in parallel. The microfluidic system comprises: a microfluidic device according to the present invention; a cell loading reservoir in fluid communication with the inlet end of each microfluidic channel of the microfluidic device; and an outlet reservoir in fluid communication with the outlet end of each microfluidic channel of the microfluidic device. The present invention also relates to a high throughput microfluidic system and a kit for tracking single cells and/or single cell lineages.

Abstract: A method of generating one of podocyte progenitor cells and neural stem/progenitor cells comprising the steps of collecting a urine specimen from a patient; centrifuging the urine specimen; and removing the one of podocyte progenitor cells and neural stem/progenitor cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bacterial strain belonging to the genus Rhodococcus which is a producer of a nitrile hydratase. The invention also relates to a method for producing acrylamide by hydration of acrylonitrile using a biomass of the bacterial strain and to a method of culturing the bacterial strain.

Abstract: Isolating or identifying a cell based on a physical property of said cell can include providing a cell suspension; passing said suspension through a microfluidic channel that includes a constriction; passing the cell suspension through the constriction; and, contacting said cell suspension solution with a compound. The constriction can be sized to preferentially deform a relatively larger cell compared to a relatively smaller cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a drug product comprising a combination of highly purified collagenase I and collagenase II from Clostridium histolyticum. The method utilizes an improved medium for the cultivation of Clostridium histolyticum which includes a non-meat-derived (i.e., non-mammalian) peptone or vegetable peptone. The method includes one or more of: (1) reducing glucose content in the meat-free or vegetable-derived media; and (2) increasing the salt concentration in the meat-free or vegetable-derived media. Also provided is a drug product which includes collagenase I and collagenase II at an optimized fixed mass ratio, and which has a purity of greater than at least 95%.

Abstract: In a method for producing a cell concentrate using a cell suspension treatment system including a storage container of a cell suspension, which has a solution inlet port, a circulation outlet port, and a circulation inlet port, a cell suspension treatment device for concentrating the cell suspension by separating liquid from the cell suspension by filtration, the device including a container having a cell suspension introduction port, a cell suspension lead-out port, and a filtrate outlet, which is filled with a hollow fiber separation membrane, a circulation circuit for concentrating the cell suspension while circulating the cell suspension between the storage container and the cell suspension treatment device, a collection container of a cell concentrate obtained by concentration, a collection path for feeding the cell concentrate to the collection container, an injection path for injecting a solution into the solution inlet port of the storage container, and a detecting unit.

Abstract: In a method for measuring luminescence of a biological sample utilizing two different luminescence reagents, the sample is agitated to improve mixing with the second luminescence reagent, allowing for a shorter delay time between injection of the second reagent and measurement of the resulting luminescence activity. The improved mixing may also allow for a shorter measurement time, thereby improving throughput when assaying a large number of samples.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for forming a multipurpose membrane in vivo. One step of the method includes obtaining a blood component. Next, a vacuum assembly is operated to remove substantially all of the liquid from the blood component and thereby form a concentrated, substantially dehydrated blood component. The substantially dehydrated blood component is then formed into a non-coagulated injectable composition and administered to a wound of a subject.

Abstract: Described herein are fluid-flow control devices for transferring a fluid from a place to another and/or controlling a fluid flow. In some embodiments, fluid-flow control devices described herein can be used as pumping devices to transfer a fluid by peristaltic motion and/or as valve devices to control fluid flow for various applications, e.g., in a microfluidic platform.

Abstract: Described are medical products, methods, and cryogenic bags or other containers suitable for storing and/or transporting and/or processing cellular compositions and other related materials. In certain aspects, the contents of such cryogenic bags may be warmed, mixed, and applied to a patient. Medical products described herein find particular use in treating diseased and/or damaged tissue such as in wound repair and/or bone repair. Related methods of manufacture are also described.

Abstract: A method for preparing a sample of biological materials containing target cells and accompanying cells for extracting nucleic acids of the target cells includes accumulating the target cells of the sample by separating the target cells or the accompanying cells from the sample. The method also includes digesting the target cells via chemical and/or physical lysis in order to produce a target cell lysate containing the nucleic acids of the target cells. The method furthermore includes purifying the nucleic acids from the target cell lysate in order to extract the nucleic acids of the target cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising an ischemic serum for promoting the activation of a stem cell, to a method for promoting the activation of a stem cell and to a stem cell, the activation of which is promoted by the composition or the method. The ischemic serum according to the present invention may stimulate the stem cell to facilitate the secretion of a growth factor, improve survival rate, improve mobility to an injured part, improve proliferation rate and maintain characteristics of the stem cell, thus promoting an activation of the stem cell such that the stem cell becomes suitable for transplantation of the stem cell to a patient having a brain injury.

Abstract: Methods of cell culture using patterned SAM arrays are disclosed. Advantageously, the disclosed methods use SAM arrays presenting adhesion peptides to grow confluent monolayers that can invaginate to form an embryoid body.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a kit comprising: (a) a mesenchymal stem cell; (b) a gelatin-hyaluronan-chondroitin tri-copolymer scaffold; (c) a kartogenin; and (d) a bioreactor. The present invention is also related to a method for promoting differentiation of a mesenchymal stem cell into cartilage tissue, comprising: (a) culturing the mesenchymal stem cell on a gelatin- hyaluronan-chondroitin tri-copolymer scaffold in the presence of a kartogenin; and (b) culturing the mesenchymal stem cell and the gelatin-hyaluronan-chondroitin tri-copolymer scaffold in a bioreactor.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a composition and formulations comprising an extract from Clerodendrum viscosum, and a method of obtaining the extract. The present invention also provides for a method of treating any disease where uncontrolled cellular proliferation occurs, such as cancers. In particular, the present invention provides a method for treating cervical cancer. The present invention also provides methods to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of cancer cells.

Abstract: Isolated populations of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are provided, including mammalian mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) characterized by the lack of CD54 (CD54?) or low cell-surface CD54 (CD54low). Methods of in vitro cell differentiation and methods of treatment using said isolated populations are also provided.