Patents by Inventor Aleksander Skardal

Aleksander Skardal has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11959095
    Abstract: An extrudable hydrogel composition useful for making a three-dimensional organ construct is described herein. Methods of using the same and products so made are also described. Also described herein is a multicellular organoid including at least two tumor cells or cell lines that are of the same tissue type, but are distinct from one another (e.g., distinct in morphology, growth rate, and/or at least one mutation); and at least one type of non-cancerous (i.e., normal or differentiated) tissue cells, wherein the at least one type of non-cancerous tissue cells are of the same tissue type as the at least two tumor cells or cell lines. In some embodiments, the at least two tumor cells or cell lines and/or the non-cancerous tissue cells are labeled with and/or comprise a detectable compound, optionally so that each of the different cells can be distinguished from each other (e.g., optically and/or electrically distinguished).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: Aleksander Skardal, HemaMylammal Salem Muthu Sugavanam Sivakumar
  • Publication number: 20230417740
    Abstract: An extrudable hydrogel composition useful for making a three-dimensional organ construct includes a cross-linkable prepolymer, a post-deposition crosslinking group, optionally, an initiator that catalyzes the reaction between the prepolymer and said the crosslinking group; live cells (e.g., plant, animal, or microbial cells), optionally at least one growth factor, and optionally water to balance. Methods of using the same and products so made are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Aleksander Skardal, Shay Soker
  • Patent number: 11826757
    Abstract: Provided herein according to some embodiments is an in vitro construct useful as a model for a hematopoietic microenvironment, which may include: a microfluidic device having multiple chambers; and two or more populations of cells (e.g., 3 or 4 populations of cells) (or “niches”) selected from: 1) mesenchymal cells (e.g., Stro-1+; MSC); 2) osteoblasts (OB; optionally said osteoblasts provided by differentiating mesenchymal cells to differentiated osteoblasts); 3) arterial endothelium (e.g., CD146+NG2+; AEC); and 4) sinusoidal endothelium (CD146+NG2?; SEC), wherein each of said two or more populations of cells are provided in a separate chamber of the microfluidic device. Methods of making and using the construct are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: Christopher Daniel Porada, Aleksander Skardal, Maria Graca Almeida-Porada
  • Patent number: 11629329
    Abstract: Described herein are bioink compositions, which may have an elastic modulus similar to a natural tissue and/or tunable mechanical properties, along with methods of preparing and using the compositions. The compositions described herein may be useful as a medium for cell and/or tissue culture and/or for bioprinting, but are not limited thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventor: Aleksander Skardal
  • Patent number: 11286231
    Abstract: Described herein are compounds having a hydrogen-bonding group and optionally a functional group for binding (e.g., covalently binding) the compound to another compound (e.g., hyaluronic acid and/or gelatin). A compound of the present invention may have a structure represented by and/or comprising Formula I, Formula II, Formula III, Formula IV, Formula IV?, Formula V, Formula V?, Formula VI, Formula VII, and/or Formula VIII as described herein. Compositions including compounds of the present invention along with methods of preparing and using the same are also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignees: Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Wake Forest University
    Inventors: Mark E. Welker, Aleksander Skardal, Amber N. Weissenfluh, Surya Banks
  • Publication number: 20220016179
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for wound healing and tissue regeneration. The compositions of the present invention comprise amniotic membrane of the placenta. In certain embodiments, the composition comprises amniotic membrane powder or solubilized amniotic membrane (SAM). In some aspects, the composition is cell-free and rich in cytokines, extracellular matrix proteins, and other components that improve tissue regeneration. In one aspect, the composition is a hydrogel scaffold that comprises amniotic membrane. The present invention reduces contraction and improves blood vessel development in regenerating tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Sean V. Murphy, Aleksander Skardal, Anthony Atala
  • Patent number: 11213608
    Abstract: Described herein are gelatin nanoparticles including their use in a composition. The composition may comprise a plurality of gelatin nanoparticles, at least one polymer, and water. In some embodiments, the composition comprises cells. The composition may be in the form of a hydrogel. Methods of using such gelatin nanoparticles and/or compositions are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: Aleksander Skardal, Casey Cuvan Clark
  • Publication number: 20210324311
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatus, including multi-tissue body-on-a-chip apparatus. In some embodiments, described are apparatus including at least a first, second, and third chamber in fluid communication with one another and with at least one tissue in each chamber, such as, for example, liver tissue in said first chamber; cardiac muscle tissue in said second chamber; and lung tissue in said third chamber; and a common aqueous growth media in said first, second, and third chamber. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a fourth chamber including testicular or ovarian tissue in said fourth chamber. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an optional fifth or sixth chamber; each said chamber includes different additional tissue selected from the group consisting of vascular endothelial, skeletal muscle, kidney, nerve, brain, and intestinal tissue (e.g., small intestine tissue and/or colon tissue). Also described are methods of using an apparatus of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Aleksander Skardal, Thomas Shupe, Anthony Atala
  • Patent number: 11047847
    Abstract: An apparatus useful for examining metastasis of cancer cells, includes (a) a primary chamber; (b) at least one secondary chamber; (c) at least one primary conduit connecting said primary and secondary chambers and providing fluid communication therebetween; (d) a primary organoid in said first chamber, said primary organoid comprising mammalian cancer cells; (e) at least one secondary organoid separately selected for and in said secondary chamber(s); and (f) optionally a growth media in said primary chamber, each of said secondary chamber(s), and said primary conduit. The apparatus may be used in methods of drug screening and development, and in personalized medicine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventor: Aleksander Skardal
  • Patent number: 10967009
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for wound healing and tissue regeneration. The compositions of the present invention comprise amniotic membrane of the placenta. In certain embodiments, the composition comprises amniotic membrane powder or solubilized amniotic membrane (SAM). In some aspects, the composition is cell-free and rich in cytokines, extracellular matrix proteins, and other components that improve tissue regeneration. In one aspect, the composition is a hydrogel scaffold that comprises amniotic membrane. The present invention reduces contraction and improves blood vessel development in regenerating tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventors: Sean V. Murphy, Aleksander Skardal, Anthony Atala
  • Publication number: 20200376489
    Abstract: Provided herein according to some embodiments is an in vitro construct useful as a model for a hematopoietic microenvironment, which may include: a microfluidic device having multiple chambers; and two or more populations of cells (e.g., 3 or 4 populations of cells) (or “niches”) selected from: 1) mesenchymal cells (e.g., Stro-1+; MSC); 2) osteoblasts (OB; optionally said osteoblasts provided by differentiating mesenchymal cells to differentiated osteoblasts); 3) arterial endothelium (e.g., CD146+NG2+; AEC); and 4) sinusoidal endothelium (CD146+NG2?; SEC), wherein each of said two or more populations of cells are provided in a separate chamber of the microfluidic device. Methods of making and using the construct are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher Daniel PORADA, Aleksander SKARDAL, Maria Graca ALMEIDA-PORADA
  • Publication number: 20200363402
    Abstract: Described herein are organoids that include at least one type of immune cell along with systems and devices including the same. Methods of preparing and using such organoids, devices and systems are also described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Aleksander Skardal, Konstantinos Votanopoulos
  • Publication number: 20200108172
    Abstract: Described herein are gelatin nanoparticles including their use in a composition. The composition may comprise a plurality of gelatin nanoparticles, at least one polymer, and water. In some embodiments, the composition comprises cells. The composition may be in the form of a hydrogel. Methods of using such gelatin nanoparticles and/or compositions are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Aleksander Skardal, Casey Cuvan Clark
  • Publication number: 20200048601
    Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing organoids and compositions for use in such methods. In some embodiments, a method of depositing a plurality of the cells into a reservoir are provided, the method comprising depositing a gelatin composition into a reservoir; adding a composition comprising a plurality of cells into the gelatin composition, wherein the composition is added into the gelatin composition at a position below the surface of the gelatin composition and at least a portion of the composition and/or plurality of cells are suspended in the gelatin composition; curing at least a portion of the composition comprising the plurality of cells in the gelatin composition; and removing at least a portion of the gelatin composition in the reservoir, thereby depositing the plurality of cells in the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Aleksander Skardal, Casey Cuvan Clark
  • Publication number: 20190345439
    Abstract: An extrudable hydrogel composition useful for making a three-dimensional organ construct is described herein. Methods of using the same and products so made are also described. Also described herein is a multicellular organoid including at least two tumor cells or cell lines that are of the same tissue type, but are distinct from one another (e.g., distinct in morphology, growth rate, and/or or at least one mutation); and at least one type of non-cancerous (i.e., normal or differentiated) tissue cells, wherein the at least one type of non-cancerous tissue cells are of the same tissue type as the at least two tumor cells or cell lines. In some embodiments, the at least two tumor cells or cell lines and/or the non-cancerous tissue cells are labeled with and/or comprise a detectable compound, optionally so that each of the different cells can be distinguished from each other (e.g., optically and/or electrically distinguished).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Aleksander Skardal, HemaMylammal Salem Muthu Sugavanam Sivakumar
  • Publication number: 20190345096
    Abstract: Described herein are compounds having a hydrogen-bonding group and optionally a functional group for binding (e.g., covalently binding) the compound to another compound (e.g., hyaluronic acid and/or gelatin). A compound of the present invention may have a structure represented by and/or comprising Formula I, Formula II, Formula III, Formula IV, Formula IV?, Formula V, Formula V?, Formula VI, Formula VII, and/or Formula VIII as described herein. Compositions including compounds of the present invention N along with methods of preparing and using the same are also described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Mark E. Welker, Aleksander Skardal, Amber N. Weissenfluh, Surya Banks
  • Publication number: 20190187129
    Abstract: Described herein are in vitro cell constructs (or “organoids”) useful as a tumor model, the constructs comprising live tumor cells from a subject. In some embodiments, provided are in vitro cell constructs comprising: (a) a core comprised of live tumor cells; and (b) a shell surrounding (e.g., encapsulating) the core, the shell comprised of live benign cells (e.g., tissue cells, benign or differentiated tumor cells, etc.). Also described herein are methods of making and using such constructs. Further provided are devices useful for evaluating tumor cells in vitro, comprising: (a) a microfluidic device having a chamber, and a channel in fluid communication with the chamber; (b) a live tumor cell construct (e.g., an organoid) in the chamber; (c) a growth media in the chamber and the channel; (d) a pump operatively associated with the chamber and channel and configured for circulating the media from the chamber through the channel and back to the chamber; (e) a microporous membrane (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Aleksander Skardal, Konstantinos Votanopoulos
  • Publication number: 20190111088
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for wound healing and tissue regeneration. The compositions of the present invention comprise amniotic membrane of the placenta. In certain embodiments, the composition comprises amniotic membrane powder or solubilized amniotic membrane (SAM). In some aspects, the composition is cell-free and rich in cytokines, extracellular matrix proteins, and other components that improve tissue regeneration. In one aspect, the composition is a hydrogel scaffold that comprises amniotic membrane. The present invention reduces contraction and improves blood vessel development in regenerating tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Sean V. Murphy, Aleksander Skardal, Anthony Atala
  • Publication number: 20190106673
    Abstract: Described herein are bioink compositions, which may have an elastic modulus similar to a natural tissue and/or tunable mechanical properties, along with methods of preparing and using the compositions. The compositions described herein may be useful as a medium for cell and/or tissue culture and/or for bioprinting, but are not limited thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventor: Aleksander Skardal
  • Publication number: 20180348203
    Abstract: An apparatus useful for examining metastasis of cancer cells, includes (a) a primary chamber; (b) at least one secondary chamber; (c) at least one primary conduit connecting said primary and secondary chambers and providing fluid communication therebetween; (d) a primary organoid in said first chamber, said primary organoid comprising mammalian cancer cells; (e) at least one secondary organoid separately selected for and in said secondary chamber(s); and (f) optionally a growth media in said primary chamber, each of said secondary chamber(s), and said primary conduit. The apparatus may be used in methods of drug screening and development, and in personalized medicine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Aleksander Skardal