Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing an embedded mammalian cell, comprising the steps of providing an alginate sulfate in aqueous solution; reacting the alginate sulfate to form a hydrogel in a gelation step, providing a precursor cell, and embedding the precursor cell in the sulfated alginate hydrogel in an embedding step, thus yielding an sulfated alginate hydrogel embedded cell. The invention further relates to sulfated alginate hydrogels, and cellular grafts comprising a mammalian cell embedded in sulfated alginate hydrogel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure concern compositions and methods of use related to particular c-kit+ mesenchymal cells, including cardiac stem cells, obtained from a pediatric or neonatal individual. In specific embodiments, the cells, or conditioned medium or partial or total secretomes thereof, are provided in an effective amount to an individual in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a use of an agent for the in vitro inhibition of coagulation in blood and a blood collection device provided for said method and use.

Abstract: Disclosed are renal tissues and arrays thereof that include a layer of renal interstitial tissue, the renal interstitial tissue comprising renal fibroblasts and endothelial cells; and a layer of renal epithelial tissue, the renal epithelial tissue comprising renal tubular epithelial cells, the renal epithelial tissue in contact with the layer of renal interstitial tissue to form a three-dimensional, engineered, biological renal tissue. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating and using the same.

Abstract: Cell culture media are provided herein as are methods of using the media for cell culture and protein production from cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising a probiotc in admixture with an effective amount of an amphipathic substance that enhances viability of the probiotic in the composition when the composition is subjected to heat.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing a soft tissue site, and augmenting the soft tissue site, such as the breast(s), scar, depression, or other defect, of a subject through use of devices that exert a distractive force on the breast(s) and grafting of autologous fat tissue such as domes with scaling rims for surrounding each of the soft tissue site and a regulated pump. The method for preparing the soft tissue site, and enhancing fat graft results, entails application of the distracting force to the targeted soft tissue site at least intermittently for some period of time and preferably several weeks prior to the graft procedure. A related aspect of the invention includes following the preparation steps by transfer of fat from other areas of the subject to the subject's soft tissue site, and then reapplication of the distractive force to the soft tissue site that received the autologous fat graft.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating blood monocytes to produce functional antigen presenting dendritic cells. An extracorporeal quantity of a subject's blood is treated to separate the blood and produce a leukocyte concentrate comprising monocytes and plasma containing proteins. The leukocyte concentrate comprising monocytes and plasma containing proteins is pumped through a plastic treatment device, such as a photopheresis device. The resulting treated cells may be incubated for a sufficient period of time to allow the monocytes to form dendritic cells, or the treated cells may be reinfused directly to the subject.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and sequestering target analytes in a fluid sample. The system comprises a bulk specimen reservoir for receiving a liquid sample, along with paramagnetic materials operative to selectively bind to the target analyte of interest. A vertex is interconnected with the bulk specimen reservoir to define a specimen chamber assembly to which a magnetic chamber is deployed about the vertex portion thereof and operative to sequester the magnetic particles, as well as any analyte of interest bound thereto, within the interior of the vertex. Once sufficient time is allowed for mixing and allowing the magnetic capsule to sufficiently retain the magnetic particles within the vertex, the vertex is disconnected from the specimen reservoir and the paramagnetic materials retained therein analyzed to determine the presence of the analyte of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cell culture in bioreactors, such as flexible cellbag bioreactors. More specifically the present invention relates to methods for simplifying the production of clinically relevant cell products for use in cell therapy.

Abstract: A method of isolating a pluripotent cell from human umbilical cord is described herein. The method involves collecting a sample of umbilical cord from fetal tissue obtained at less than 13 weeks of gestation, for example a first trimester umbilical cord. The sample is treated to obtain isolated umbilical cord cells, after which the isolated umbilical cord cells are incubated. Cells obtained in this way can be differentiated for use in treating conditions of cell damage, by supplanting the function of a damaged cell in a condition such as spinal cord injury, cardiovascular injury or heart disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for preparing modified blood clots comprising removal of the cellular content of the blood clots. The invention further provides uses of the modified blood clots as therapeutic agents and as delivery vehicles for cells, bio-molecules and other agents.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a biological machine comprising a skeleton comprising at least one hydrogel strip and at least two hydrogel bases, and at least one bioactuator, the at least one bioactuator comprising at least one muscle ring, the muscle ring comprising skeletal muscle cells, wherein the muscle ring is tethered around the at least two pillars. The muscle ring can comprises skeletal muscle, and skeletal muscle innervated with motor neurons, allowing chemical control of muscle contraction. Methods of making the biological machine is also provided.

Abstract: A method includes introducing a suspension including cells suspended in a cell culture medium through a feed port or a drain port into a cavity of a cell culture vessel, the suspension being in an amount sufficient to cover a gas permeable, liquid impermeable membrane positioned at a bottom of the cell culture vessel, the feed port being disposed through a surface of the cell culture vessel and configured to permit additional cell culture medium into the cavity, and the drain port being disposed through the surface of the cell culture vessel and configured to permit removal of the cells, cell culture medium, and used cell culture medium from the cavity, allowing the cells to settle on the gas permeable, liquid impermeable membrane by gravity, removing the used cell culture medium through the drain port and introducing the additional cell culture medium through the feed port such that a constant volume is maintained in the cell culture vessel until the cells expand to a desired cell density, wherein the removi

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the isolation of extracellular vesicles, including exosomes, from a liquid sample, the method comprising the steps of: adjusting the pH of a liquid sample comprising extracellular vesicles to a preselected, binding pH; contacting the liquid sample with silicon carbide, wherein at the preselected, binding pH, the extracellular vesicles bind to the silicon carbide; and eluting the bound extracellular vesicles from the silicon carbide. The liquid samples can comprise bodily fluids. Further disclosed is a method for producing a liquid sample, substantially depleted of extracellular vesicles, including exosomes.

Abstract: A method of generating a nephrospheroid is disclosed. The method comprises culturing human adult kidney cells in a culture medium under non-adherent conditions. Uses thereof and other renal cell populations are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to differentiate stern, progenitor or precursor cells comprising contacting said stem, progenitor or precursor cells with miR-130a, or an RNA having at least 95% identity thereto, so as to yield cells of endothelial lineage. Further disclosed are compositions comprising the endothelial lineage cells obtained and methods of using the compositions for treating diseases including cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract: An approach for preparing a vaccine using ultraviolet radiation is described. Aspects of this approach involve multiple iterations of inactivation of the vaccine using an ultraviolet radiation source at a set of different wavelengths and dosages. A recognition test of the vaccine using the set of different wavelengths and dosages is performed after the multiple iterations of inactivation. A controller compares results from the inactivation test and the recognition test to determine an area of acceptable radiation dosages and wavelengths generated from the ultraviolet radiation source that irradiate the live organisms without affecting efficacy and safety of the vaccine. The area of acceptable ultraviolet radiation dosages and wavelengths is representative of a difference between an ultraviolet radiation dosage that is required for inactivation and an ultraviolet radiation dosage that leads to a loss of recognition.

Abstract: Luciferin-containing substrates are provided including a substrate and luciferin dried on the substrate. The luciferin-containing substrate is free of a detectable amount of reactive luciferase. The substrate is optionally a nonwoven substrate. Monitoring devices are also provided. The monitoring devices include a test element having a test portion, a detection reagent comprising luciferase, a luciferin-containing substrate, and a container having a first end with an opening and a second end opposite the first end. The container is configured to receive the test portion and configured to be operationally coupled to an analytical instrument. The detection reagent and the luciferin each are capable of participating in one or more chemical reaction that results in the formation of a detectable product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for analyzing the activation state of a signaling pathway in a cell or tissue separated from a subject through real time single molecule protein-protein interaction analysis, and a method for selecting a personalized medicine or predicting a therapeutic efficacy to a medicine using the same.