Abstract: A cell culture substrate comprising a substrate having a coating of a plurality of amine functionalized nanoparticles is disclosed. In one embodiment, the amine functionalized nanoparticle is a polymer of an acrylamide monomer, a cross-linker and an amine monomer. There is also provided a method of making the cell culture substrate either by drying the amine functionalized nanoparticles when spread onto the said substrate or by covalent linkages of the substrate with thiol terminated nanoparticles. In addition, there is provided a method of culturing stem cells on the cell culture substrate having a coating of a plurality of the amine functionalized nanoparticles thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite hydrogels comprising at least one non-peptidic polymer and at least one peptide having the general formula: Z—(X)m—(Y)n—Z?p, wherein Z is an N-terminal protecting group; X is, at each occurrence, independently selected from an aliphatic amino acid, an aliphatic amino acid derivative and a glycine; Y is, at each occurrence, independently selected from a polar amino acid and a polar amino acid derivative; Z? is a C-terminal protecting group; m is an integer selected from 2 to 6; n is selected from 1 or 2; and p is selected from 0 or 1. The present invention further relates to methods of producing the composite hydrogels, to uses of the composite hydrogels for the delivery of drugs and other bioactive agents/moieties, as an implant or injectable agent that facilitates tissue regeneration, and as a topical agent for wound healing.

Abstract: There is provided a method for culturing a stem cell in vitro. The method comprises providing a substrate surface coated with a coating comprising a molecule having a catechol moiety or a polymer thereof; and growing a stem cell on said coated substrate surface in a growth medium.

Abstract: A cell culture substrate comprising a substrate having a coating of a plurality of amine functionalized nanoparticles is disclosed. In one embodiment, the amine functionalized nanoparticle is a polymer of an acrylamide monomer, a cross-linker and an amine monomer. There is also provided a method of making the cell culture substrate either by drying the amine functionalized nanoparticles when spread onto the said substrate or by covalent linkages of the substrate with thiol terminated nanoparticles. In addition, there is provided a method of culturing stem cells on the cell culture substrate having a coating of a plurality of the amine functionalized nanoparticles thereon.

Abstract: There is provided a method for culturing a stem cell in vitro. The method comprises providing a substrate surface coated with a coating comprising a molecule having a catechol moiety or a polymer thereof; and growing a stem cell on said coated substrate surface in a growth medium.

Abstract: A porous scaffold is provided, which comprises tangled fibres. A porous scaffold can be formed by applying a fluid to fibres to entangle them. The fibres comprise a polyelectrolyte complex and a cross-linker. The cross-linker links polyelectrolytes within individual fibres and inhibits secondary polyelectrolyte complication between adjacent fibres.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite hydrogels comprising at least one non-peptidic polymer and at least one peptide having the general formula: Z—(X)m—(Y)n—Z?p, wherein Z is an N-terminal protecting group; X is, at each occurrence, independently selected from an aliphatic amino acid, an aliphatic amino acid derivative and a glycine; Y is, at each occurrence, independently selected from a polar amino acid and a polar amino acid derivative; Z? is a C-terminal protecting group; m is an integer selected from 2 to 6; n is selected from 1 or 2; and p is selected from 0 or 1. The present invention further relates to methods of producing the composite hydrogels, to uses of the composite hydrogels for the delivery of drugs and other bioactive agents/moieties, as an implant or injectable agent that facilitates tissue regeneration, and as a topical agent for wound healing.

Abstract: A process for making a gel comprising combining a silanol species comprising at least two silanol groups per molecule and a hydrophilic hydroxyl species comprising at least two hydroxyl groups per molecule. The gel is capable of being converted to a liquid by application of a mechanical shear force and the liquid is capable of being converted to the gel in the absence of the mechanical shear force.

Abstract: A multi-layered microcapsule has an inner extracellular matrix and an outer shell. The inner extracellular matrix includes a first inner layer of biopolymer and a second intermediate layer of polymer that provides partial immune-protection and holds the first layer in place. The outer shell can form an exoskeleton to provide mechanical stability. Each of the individual layers can be varied to optimize mechanical stability, cell function, and immuno-protection.

Abstract: A multilayer polyelectrolyte support material is provided that includes a polyelectrolyte layer and a polyelectrolyte-polyethylene glycol layer adjacent to the polyelectrolyte layer. The support material also includes a ligand conjugated to the polyelectrolyte-polyethylene glycol layer, allowing for attachment of a protein or a cell to the support material with controlled orientation.

Abstract: A multi-layered microcapsule has an inner extracellular matrix and an outer shell. The inner extracellular matrix includes a first inner layer of biopolymer and a second intermediate layer of polymer that provides partial immune-protection and holds the first layer in place. The outer shell can form an exoskeleton to provide mechanical stability. Each of the individual layers can be varied to optimize mechanical stability, cell function, and immuno-protection.

Abstract: A porous scaffold is provided, which comprises tangled fibres. A porous scaffold can be formed by applying a fluid to fibres to entangle them. The fibres comprise a polyelectrolyte complex and a cross-linker. The cross-linker links polyelectrolytes within individual fibres and inhibits secondary polyelectrolyte complication between adjacent fibres.

Abstract: A biomaterial scaffold comprising: a) reconstituted extracellular matrix; and b) polyelectrolyte complex fibers; wherein the matrix and the fibers are functionally associated.

Abstract: A multi-layered microcapsule has an inner extracellular matrix and an outer shell. The inner extracellular matrix includes a first inner layer of biopolymer and a second intermediate layer of polymer that provides partial immune-protection and holds the first layer in place. The outer shell can form an exoskeleton to provide mechanical stability. Each of the individual layers can be varied to optimize mechanical stability, cell function, and immuno-protection.

Abstract: Polymers comprising the subunit 1

Abstract: A multi-layered microcapsule has an inner extracellular matrix and an outer shell. The inner extracellular matrix includes a first inner layer of biopolymer and a second intermediate layer of polymer that provides partial immune-protection and holds the first layer in place. The outer shell can form an exoskeleton to provide mechanical stability. Each of the individual layers can be varied to optimize mechanical stability, cell function, and immuno-protection.