Abstract: The technology described herein relates to methods, assays, and compositions relating to causing a cell to assume a more pluripotent state, e.g. without introducing foreign genetic material.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing and conditioning red blood cells are disclosed. The methods and systems may be used to make a readily transfusible red blood cell product with reduced plasma. In general, the plasma content of the supernatant of the red blood cell product is no greater than about 15%. The red blood cell products are prepared using the disclosed methods and systems remain transfusible for up to 42 days.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter comprises a device to collect and preserve cells comprising of: (1) a collection container comprised of a tube having an open end and a closed end, a closure in the open end of the tube, a vacuum drawn to a predetermined level inside the container; and (2) compounds including an anticoagulant agent and a fixative agent, wherein the compounds are in a sufficient amount to preserve said cells” original morphology and antigenic sites without significant dilution of said cells, and thereby allowing said cells to be directly analyzed by a flow cytometer without further treatment.

Abstract: A nutritional supplement containing fungal biomass having at least 100 mg/kg iron and processes for producing the nutritional supplement using filamentous fungi are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of chronic stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative disorders using umbilical cord blood cells.

Abstract: Organ and tissue preservation solutions having improved stability are disclosed. The solutions are comprised of two separate solutions. The first solution, Solution A, is comprised of a balanced salt solution that is stable in solution at a pH of 7.0 or above. A second solution, Solution B, is comprised of an aqueous solution containing L-glutathione and/or cysteinylglycine, a sugar such as D-glucose, L-Arginine, a reducing agent such as ascorbic acid and water at a pH of below 7.0, preferably from about 3.0 to 5.0. The two Solutions are then mixed together at the point of use and the pH adjusted to about 7.3 resulting in the organ and tissue preservation solution having improved stability. Preferably, solution A has a pH of about 7.6 and solution B has a pH of about 5.0. The present invention is also comprised of kits 20 that contain the two Solutions in two separate containers 22, 24. In an alternate embodiment, the sugar can be in Solution A.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are provided for guiding tumor movement, particularly in vivo for treatment of patients. The method may include implanting into a tissue site where tumor cells are present a device having one or more surface structures or substrates, such as aligned nanofibers, which provide physical guidance cues for directing the migration of the tumor cells from the first tissue location to a selected second location, for tumor cell extraction or death. The devices and systems may include a cytotoxic agent for contacting tumor cells migrated via the substrate. All or a portion of the at least one substrate may include one or more biochemical cues, such as a coating of laminin or another protein, which may be provided in a concentration gradient to facilitate uni-directional tumor cell migration.

Abstract: Semen and sperm cell processing and preservation systems, and methods of producing a mammal and methods of producing mammalian embryos are disclosed. The present invention is directed to sperm cell preservation, fertilization, and insemination, maintaining or enhancing sperm quality and addressing one or more sperm cell characteristics, such as viability, motility, functionality, fertilization rates, and pregnancy rates. Further, sperm cell characteristics may be addressed within the context of various collection, handling, separation, storage, transportation, usage, fertilization, or insemination techniques.

Abstract: Semen and sperm cell processing and preservation systems, and methods of producing a mammal and methods of producing mammalian embryos are disclosed. The present invention is directed to sperm cell preservation, fertilization, and insemination, maintaining or enhancing sperm quality and addressing one or more sperm cell characteristics, such as viability, motility, functionality, fertilization rates, and pregnancy rates. Further, sperm cell characteristics may be addressed within the context of various collection, handling, separation, storage, transportation, usage, fertilization, or insemination techniques.

Abstract: This invention provides gels and matrices having a rigidity in the range of 150-750 Pa, methods of manufacturing same, and method of preserving a mesenchymal stem cell population or studying mesenchymal stem cells, comprising same.

Abstract: A method for the anti-senescence of and/or rejuvenating a stem cell is provided. The method comprising treating the stem cell with trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC). A kit is also provided. The kit comprising (1) a first part, comprising a stem cell; (2) a second part, comprising TC; and (3) a culture medium of the stem cell, placed in at least one of the first part, the second part, and a third part. In addition, a method for stem cell therapy is provided. The method comprising administering to a subject in need an effective amount of a stem cell, wherein the stem cell has been treated with TC before being administered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of processing allograft skin for transplantation and a cryopreserved allograft skin produced thereby. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method in which a cryoprotectant is prepared by adding sucrose to basic constituents comprising dimethyl sulfoxide, an animal cell culture medium and fetal bovine serum, and then the resulting solution is used to subject skin tissue for transplantation to a freezing process.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter comprises a device to collect and preserve cells comprising of: (1) a collection container comprised of a tube having an open end and a closed end, a closure in the open end of the tube, a vacuum drawn to a predetermined level inside the container; and (2) compounds including an anticoagulant agent and a fixative agent, wherein the compounds are in a sufficient amount to preserve said cells' original morphology and antigenic sites without significant dilution of said cells, and thereby allowing said cells to be directly analyzed by a flow cytometer without further treatment.

Abstract: Variations in the differentiation and lineage potential of stem cells, including mesenchymal stem cells, currently limit their therapeutic use. The ability to identify, isolate, and specifically amplify stem cell populations with desired differentiation potential would contribute the use of stem cells in research and therapy. The present invention discloses a method of assessing differentiation potential of stem cells by measuring the differential expression of antigens CD 146 and NG2 on the stem cells. The correlation between CD 146 and NG2 expression and differentiation and trilineage potential is explored. The invention also discloses methods to specifically amplify or enrich stem cells with desired differentiation potential, monitor the differentiation potential of a heterogeneous stem cell population, quantify the heterogeneity in differentiation potential of a stem cell culture, and remove stem cells with specific differentiation potentials from a heterogeneous cell culture.

Abstract: A microfluidic system for causing perturbations in a cell membrane, the system including a microfluidic channel defining a lumen and being configured such that a cell suspended in a buffer can pass therethrough, wherein the microfluidic channel includes a cell-deforming constriction, wherein a diameter of the constriction is a function of the diameter of the cell.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of making a red blood cell, plasma, and platelet products having a uniform dose and volume. The method comprises pooling a plurality of blood units, leukoreducing the blood and inactivating any pathogen contained therein. Plasma, RBCs, and platelets are then divided into uniform dose and volume units which have an extended shelf life.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for enhancing the quality and survival of red blood cells during storage by depleting the red blood cells of both carbon dioxide and oxygen and maintaining 2,3-diphosphoglycerate acid levels.

Abstract: Melanin or inorganic fertilizers are produced from fermentation leachates or from low-cost nutrient-rich solutions. The method for producing the melanin or inorganic fertilizer comprises repetitive trophic cycling in the controlled conditions of primary and secondary bioreactors. Nutrients are cycled between microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast and fungi and black soldier fly larvae, Hermetia illucens. Polysaccharides are partly converted into natural melanins or inorganic fertilizer, which are difficult to biodegrade and hence accumulate in the bioreactors. The method can employ, as a source of nutrients, leachates produced from food waste or from sugar-rich liquid waste of the food industry. These leachates can be used raw or can be augmented with low-cost sugar-rich solutions such as molasses, hydrolyzed cellulose or starch. The method is inexpensive and does not require the use of expensive chemically-defined culture media.

Abstract: This invention provides gels and matrices having a rigidity in the range of 0.1-2.5 kPa, methods of manufacturing same, and method of preserving a mesenchymal stem cell population or studying mesenchymal stem cells, comprising same.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials relating to cardiac cells. For example, this document provides methods and materials that can be used to obtain cells having the ability to differentiate into cardiomyocytes. Such cells can be used to repair damaged heart tissue. For example, cells having the ability to differentiate into cardiomyocytes can be used to repair or regenerate heart tissue in patients with a cardiac condition (e.g., ischemic cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, or heart failure).