Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for selectively identifying, and targeting with an energy beam, specific cells within a cell population, for the purpose of inducing a response in the targeted cells. Using the present invention, every detectable cell in a population can be identified and affected, without substantially affecting nontargeted cells within the mixture.

Abstract: A method is presented to remove contaminating tumor cells from a cell population. The method includes labeling individual tumor cells in the population and then killing them with a high energy laser beam. The laser is focused so that it specifically kills the identified tumor cell, but not the remaining cells in the population.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and devices are provided for the growth of human stem and/or hematopoietic cells in culture. Bioreactors are provided in which diverse cell types are simultaneously-cultured in the presence of appropriate levels of nutrients and growth factors substantially continuously maintained in the bioreactor while removing undesirable metabolic products. This simultaneous culture of multiple cell types successfully reconstructs hematopoietic tissue ex vivo. Optionally, at least one growth factor is provided through excretion by transfected stromal cells, particularly heterologous cells. The invention also allows for the separate maintenance of stromal and hematopoietic cells, and to allow for harvesting of both the adherent and non-adherent cells.

Abstract: A method is presented to remove contaminating tumor cells from a cell population. The method includes labeling individual tumor cells in the population and then killing them with a high energy laser beam. The laser is focused so that it specifically kills the identified tumor cell, but not the remaining cells in the population.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and devices are provided for the growth of human stem and/or hematopoietic cells in culture. Bioreactors are provided in which diverse cell types are simultaneously-cultured in the presence of appropriate levels of nutrients and growth factors substantially continuously maintained in the bioreactor while removing undesirable metabolic products. This simultaneous culture of multiple cell types successfully reconstructs hematopoietic tissue ex vivo. Optionally, at least one growth factor is provided through excretion by transfected stromal cells, particularly heterologous cells. The stromal cells and hematopoietic cells may be maintained separately, and both the adherent and non-adherent cells harvested.

Abstract: A bioreactor for the ex vivo maintenance and growth of mammalian cells includes a disposable, self contained cell cassette, a system manager, an incubator unit matable with a plurality of the cassettes and a processor unit. The cell cassette includes a substantially circular cell growth chamber defined between a substantially planar cell bed and a gas permeable, liquid impervious membrane. A media inlet enters the cell growth chamber communicates at a radially central portion of the cell bed. A plurality of media outlets are radially outwardly spaced from the media inlet by a distance sufficient for cell growth to occur between the inlet and the outlets. The outlets are substantially equiangularly circumferentially spaced about the cell growth chamber.

Abstract: Methods, including culture media conditions, which provide for ex vivo human stem cell division and/or the optimization of human hematopoietic progenitor cell cultures and/or increasing the metabolism or GM-CSF secretion or IL-6 secretion of human stromal cells are disclosed. The methods rely on culturing human stem cells and/or human hematopoietic progenitor cells and/or human stromal cells in a liquid culture medium which is replaced, preferably perfused, either continuously or periodically, at a rate of 1 ml of medium per ml of culture per about 24 to about 48 hour period, and removing metabolic products and replenishing depleted nutrients while maintaining the culture under physiologically acceptable conditions. Optionally growth factors are added to the culture medium.

Abstract: Methods, including culture media conditions, which provide for ex vivo human stem cell division and stable genetic transformation and/or the optimization of human hematopoietic progenitor cell cultures and/or increasing the metabolism or GM-CSF secretion or IL-6 secretion of human stromal cells are disclosed. The methods rely on culturing human stem cells and/or human hematopoietic progenitor cells and/or human stromal cells in a liquid culture medium which is replaced, preferably perfused, either continuously or periodically, at a rate of 1 ml of medium per ml of culture per about 24 to about 48 hour period, and removing metabolic products and replenishing depleted nutrients while maintaining the culture under physiologically acceptable conditions. Optionally growth factors are added to the culture medium.

Abstract: Methods, including culture media conditions, which provide for ex vivo human stem cell division and/or the optimization of human hematopoietic progenitor cell cultures and/or increasing the metabolism or GM-CSF secretion or IL-6 secretion of human stromal cells are disclosed. The methods rely on culturing human stem cells and/or human hematopoietic progenitor cells and/or human stromal cells in a liquid culture medium which is replaced, preferably perfused, either continuously or periodically, at a rate of 1 ml of medium per ml of culture per about 24 to about 48 hour period, and removing metabolic products and replenishing depleted nutrients while maintaining the culture under physiologically acceptable conditions. Optionally growth factors are added to the culture medium.

Abstract: Methods, including culture media conditions, which provide for in vitro human stem cell division and/or the optimization of human hematopoietic progenitor cell cultures and/or increasing the metabolism or GM-CSF secretion or IL-6 secretion of human stromal cells and/or a method for assaying the effect of a substance or condition on a human hematopoietic cell population, and/or depleting the malignant cell or T-cell and B-cell content of a human hematopoietic cell population are disclosed. The methods rely on culturing human stem cells and/or human hematopoietic progenitor cells and/or human stromal cells in a liquid culture medium which is replaced, preferably perfused, either continuously or periodically, at a rate of 1 ml of medium per ml of culture per about 24 to about 48 hour period, and removing metabolic products and replenishing depleted nutrients while maintaining the culture under physiologically acceptable conditions. Optionally, growth factors are added to the culture medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stabilized virus, which is modified using a stabilizing agent. The invention also provides a process for producing a stabilized virus by culturing viral producing cells with a stabilizing agent at a temperature below 37.degree. C. The invention further provides methods to introduce an exogenous nucleotide sequence into a cell using a stabilized virus containing the exogenous nucleotide sequence. The invention also provides methods for administering an exogenous nucleotide sequence to a subject using a stabilized virus containing the exogenous nucleotide sequence. The invention further provides a method to produce a protein by infecting a cell with a stabilized virus containing a exogenous nucleotide sequence encoding the protein and then isolating the protein produced by the infected cells.

Abstract: A photobioreactor system for efficient oxygen production for a closed ecological life support system (CELSS) is disclosed. Special features of this system include, e.g., the optical transmission system, uniform light distribution, continuous cycling of cells, gravity independent gas-exchange, and an ultrafiltration unit. The fiber optic based optical transmission system illuminates the reactor internally and includes a light source which is external to the reactor, preventing heat generation problems. Uniform light distribution is achieved throughout the reactor without interfering with the turbulent regime inside. The ultrafiltration unit exchanges spent with fresh media and its use results in very high cell densities, up to 10.sup.9 cells/ml for Chlorella vulgaris. The prototype photobioreactor system may be operated in a batch and continuous mode for prolonged periods of time. The photobioreactor may be used to convert CO.sub.2 to oxygen in an artificial lung.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and devices are provided for the growth of hematopoietic cells in culture. Bioreactors are provided in which diverse cell types are simultaneously cultured in the presence of appropriate levels of nutrients and growth factors substantially continuously maintained in the bioreactor while removing undesirable metabolic products. This simultaneous culture of multiple cell types is required for the successful reconstruction of hematopoietic tissue ex vivo. At least one growth factor is provided through excretion by transfected stromal cells, particularly heterologous cells. Means are provided for maintaining the stromal cells and hematopoietic cells separately, to allow for early removal of the hematopoietic cells.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of increasing the frequency of contact between vectors and stationary target cells in an apparatus containing them which involves causing the vectors to move towards the target cells with motion above and beyond random Brownian motion. The methods of this invention include causing the vectors to move in the direction of the cells by (1) causing flow-through of a liquid containing the vectors through or past a cell bed, (2) moving charged vectors towards the target cells by electrodiffusion and (3) centrifuging vectors and cells to cause settling of vectors onto the cells.

Abstract: Devices are provided for the growth of human stem and/or hematopoietic cells in culture. Bioreactors are provided in which diverse cell types are simultaneously-cultured in the presence of appropriate levels of nutrients and growth factors substantially continuously maintained in the bioreactor while removing undesirable metabolic products. This simultaneous culture of multiple cell types successfully reconstructs hematopoietic tissue ex vivo. Optionally, at least one growth factor is provided through excretion by transfected stromal cells, particularly heterologous cells. The stromal cells and hematopoietic cells are maintained separately and both the adherent and non-adherent cells are harvested.

Abstract: Methods, including culture media conditions, which provide for ex vivo human stem cell division and/or the optimization of human hematopoietic progenitor cell cultures and/or increasing the metabolism or GM-CSF secretion or IL-6 secretion of human stromal cells are disclosed. The methods rely on culturing human stem cells and/or human hematopoietic progenitor cells and/or human stromal cells in a liquid culture medium which is replaced, preferably perfused, either continuously or periodically, at a rate of 1 ml of medium per ml of culture per about 24 to about 48 hour period, and removing metabolic products and replenishing depleted nutrients while maintaining the culture under physiologically acceptable conditions. Optionally growth factors are added to the culture medium.

Abstract: Methods, including culture media conditions, which provide for ex vivo human stem cell division and stable genetic transformation and/or the optimization of human hematopoietic progenitor cell cultures and/or increasing the metabolism or GM-CSF secretion or IL-6 secretion of human stromal cells are disclosed. The methods rely on culturing human stem cells and/or human hematopoietic progenitor cells and/or human stromal cells in a liquid culture medium which is replaced, preferably perfused, either continuously or periodically, at a rate of 1 ml of medium per ml of culture per about 24 to about 48 hour period, and removing metabolic products and replenishing depleted nutrients while maintaining the culture under physiologically acceptable conditions. Optionally growth factors are added to the culture medium.