Abstract: Soft and strong nonwoven web materials and methods of formation are described. In one embodiment, a nonwoven web material may comprise meltblown polymer fibers comprising bicomponent fibers formed of a first polymer component and a second polymer component, and monocomponent fibers formed only of the first polymer component, or a third polymer component that is different than either of the first polymer component and the second polymer component, and absorbent fibers, wherein the nonwoven web material has a TS7 Softness value of less than or equal to 3.9, according to the TS7 Softness Test Method.

Abstract: Soft and strong nonwoven web materials and methods of formation are described. In one embodiment, a nonwoven web may comprise a first and second outer regions of meltblown polymer fibers and absorbent fibers, the meltblown fibers formed of first and second polymer components where the second polymer component comprises greater than 0% and less than or equal to 20% by weight of a total polymeric material content of the meltblown polymer fibers, and a central region disposed between the first and second outer regions and comprising meltblown polymer fibers and absorbent fibers, the meltblown fibers being different than the meltblown polymer fibers of the first and second outer regions and not comprising the second polymer component.

Abstract: Soft and strong nonwoven web materials and methods of formation are described. In one embodiment, a method of forming a web may comprise merging a stream of an absorbent material with streams of meltblown fibers, the streams of meltblown fibers comprising bicomponent fibers formed of a first polymer component and a second polymer component, collecting the merged stream onto a forming surface, merging a stream of an absorbent material with streams of meltblown fibers, the streams of meltblown fibers comprising monocomponent fibers formed of the first polymer component or a third polymer component, collecting the merged stream onto the collected merged stream disposed on the forming surface, merging a stream of an absorbent material with streams of meltblown fibers, the streams of meltblown fibers comprising bicomponent fibers, and collecting the merged stream onto the collected merged streams to form the stratified nonwoven web material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are hydrogel structures and methods of making and use thereof. For example, disclosed herein are methods of making a device comprising a hydrogel matrix and a first chamber in the hydrogel matrix, the hydrogel matrix being derived from a prepolymer and the first chamber being perfusable. The methods can, for example, comprise blocking a first portion of a pre-polymerization solution with a first photomask, the pi-polymerization solution comprising the prepolymer, such that the pre-polymerization solution comprises an exposed portion and a first blocked portion. The methods can further comprise irradiating the exposed portion of the pi-polymerization solution and the first photomask with electromagnetic radiation, the first photomask being substantially opaque to the electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hydrogel biomaterial comprising cell adhesive peptides to generate in vivo tumor models.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides hydrogels, more particularly hydrolytically degradable hydrogels containing cleavable ester moieties and their use in such applications as tissue engineering and therapeutic delivery.

Abstract: A high-throughput, scalable, low-cost, on-chip microfluidic potency assay for nondifferentiated cells such as human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) with improved functional predictive power and recapitulation of in vivo secretory responses compared to traditional approaches. By comparison of hMSC secretory responses to functional hMSC-medicated immune cell suppression, on-chip microfluidic potency markers are identified with improved functional predictive power compared to traditional planar methods.

Abstract: The invention provides materials presenting a biologically active matrix comprising a physiological fibrillar fibronectin network, such as implantable constructs, and their use for modulating cell behaviour and fate, including cell growth, proliferation and/or differentiation, such as for promoting tissue regeneration, for example, bone regeneration or vascularization. Also provided are constructs presenting a biologically active matrix comprising a physiological fibrillar fibronectin network for sustaining growth of stem cells or maintaining stem cells (maintaining stemness).

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a composition comprising two or more cytokines, and one or more of keratan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, or hyaluronic acid. The composition can simulate a fluid from a patient. The simulated fluid has a viscosity, a storage modulus, and a loss modulus similar to that of patient-derived synovial fluid. A method for making a composition for simulating a fluid from a patient is also disclosed. The method includes creating a mixture comprising two or more cytokines, and one or more of keratan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, or human serum albumin. The method also includes adding a low molecular weight hyaluronic acid to the mixture, adding a high molecular weight hyaluronic acid to the mixture, and incubating the mixture for a predetermined time at a temperature ranging from approximately 0° C. to approximately 10° C.

Abstract: Described herein are FasL-engineered biomaterials, as well as methods of making and using such FasL-engineered biomaterials, such as for immunomodulation, such as for inducing immunosuppression and specific immune tolerance, such as for preventing or reducing the risks of rejection of cellular or tissue grafts and/or the treatment of autoimmune disorders such as Type I diabetes. In specific embodiments, the FasL-engineered biomaterials are biotinylated microgels bound to SA-FasL.

Abstract: Disclosed are PD-L1 presenting compositions. The compositions may be used to effect immunomodulation in a variety of contexts. The compositions may be used to decrease rates of transplant rejection, including pancreatic islet cell transplantation. The compositions are useful for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.

Abstract: Described herein are FasL-engineered biomaterials, as well as methods of making and using such FasL-engineered biomaterials, such as for immunomodulation, such as for inducing immunosuppression and specific immune tolerance, such as for preventing or reducing the risks of rejection of cellular or tissue grafts and/or the treatment of autoimmune disorders such as Type I diabetes. In specific embodiments, the FasL-engineered biomaterials are biotinylated microgels bound to SA-FasL.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are synthetic hydrogels suitable for delivering antimicrobial proteins, optionally in combination with bone regenerating agents to injured tissues. The hydrogels can include lysostaphin and one or more bone morphogenic proteins. The hydrogels are composed of a network of crosslinked hydrophilic polymers and adhesion peptides.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are synthetic hydrogel useful for the generation, storage and administration of cellular structures such as spheroids and organoids.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for enhancement of stem-cell based immunomodulation and promotion of tissue repair.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are hydrogels that can be loaded with myogenic agents, for instance muscle stem cells (MuSCs)/satellite cells, pro-myogenic factors, and combinations thereof. The hydrogels can be contacted with damaged muscle tissue, thereby facilitating muscle growth and repair. Further provided are methods of repairing muscle tissue in a patient in need thereof, said methods comprising contacting the muscle tissue with a composition comprising the hydrogel. Also provided herein are kits comprising the hydrogel composition and a substrate comprising at least one microneedle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are synthetic hydrogel useful for the generation, storage and administration of cellular structures such as spheroids and organoids.

Abstract: Described herein are FasL-engineered biomaterials, as well as methods of making and using such FasL-engineered biomaterials, such as for immunomodulation, such as for inducing immunosuppression and specific immune tolerance, such as for preventing or reducing the risks of rejection of cellular or tissue grafts and/or the treatment of autoimmune disorders such as Type I diabetes. In specific embodiments, the FasL-engineered biomaterials are biotinylated microgels bound to SA-FasL.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are synthetic hydrogels suitable for delivering antimicrobial and/or bone regenerating agents to injured tissues.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of isolating a cancer-associated cell, such as a cancer stem cell or tumor initiating cell or a cell derived therefrom, from a mixture of cells, for example, a mixture of adherent cells in culture. Cell isolation is achieved by the application of selective detachment forces.