Abstract: A method of making a cardiac construct is carried out by depositing a mixture comprising live mammalian cardiac cells (e.g., individual cells, organoids, or spheroids), fibrinogen, gelatin, and water on a support to form an intermediate cardiac construct; optionally co-depositing a structural support material (e.g., polycaprolactone) with the mixture in a configuration that supports the intermediate construct; and then contacting thrombin to the construct in an amount effective to cross-link the fibrinogen and produce a cardiac construct comprised of live cardiac cells that together spontaneously beat in a fibrin hydrogel. Constructs made and methods of using the same are also described.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for mimicking an in vivo environment for culturing cells in vitro. The in vivo mimicking environment is based on the generation of a tissue-specific extracellular matrix wherein the matrix provides a substrate for which the cultured cell originated from. The tissue-specific extracellular matrix can further comprise a component of a whole tissue-specific homogenate.

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 one growth factor, and optionally water to balance. Methods of using the same and products so made are also described.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for wound healing and tissue regeneration. The compositions of the present invention comprise amniotic membrane powder. The compositions of the present invention comprise amniotic membrane powder and a scaffold. The methods of the present invention comprises applying a composition of the present invention to a subject to induce wound healing and tissue regeneration.

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.

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.

Abstract: Described herein are modified gelatins or the pharmaceutically-acceptable salts or esters thereof comprising at least one actinically crosslinkable group covalently bonded to gelatin. The modified gelatins are useful in producing composites that ultimately can be used to produce three-dimensional engineered biological constructs. The composites are the polymerization product between the modified gelatin and at least one actinically crosslinkable macromolecule. Methods for making the modified gelatins are also described herein.

Abstract: Described herein are composites produced by reacting a first thiolated macromolecule with at least one compound having at least one thiol-reactive electrophilic functional group. The methods described herein permit the cross-linking of a variety of different thiolated macromolecules with one another. The composites described herein have a variety of biomedical and pharmaceutical applications, which are also described herein.