Abstract: The invention provides methods for differentiating pluripotent stem cells such as ES cells with improved progenitor and differentiated cell yield using low oxygen conditions and optionally in the absence of exogenously added differentiation factors.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for measuring and detecting properties of a variety of particles or cells in suspension. Properties, such as, for example, velocity of particles, concentration and/or size may be measured according to the methods of the invention. Acoustic energy may be introduced to a focal zone and narrow band interrogating signals may be used. The acoustic energy may cause movement or streaming of the fluid or suspension. The acoustic streaming may allow a Doppler effect measurement without any other source of velocity.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for measuring and detecting properties of a variety of particles or cells in suspension. Properties, such as, for example, velocity of particles, concentration and/or size may be measured according to the methods of the invention. Acoustic energy may be introduced to a focal zone and narrow band interrogating signals may be used. The acoustic energy may cause movement or streaming of the fluid or suspension. The acoustic streaming may allow a Doppler effect measurement without any other source of velocity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to enhance oxygen delivery to tissue encapsulated in an immunobarrier device. In one embodiment, in situ electrochemical oxygen generation by electrolysis of water into oxygen and hydrogen supplies oxygen to the tissue. In one embodiment a thin, multilayer sheet electrolyzer is enclosed in silicone rubber membranes permeable to gas and water vapor but not liquids. The anode side of the electrolyzer is in contact with one face of the device. Water vapor diffuses into the electrolyzer, decomposes at the anode, and oxygen diffuses back through the membrane to the implanted tissue, thus providing a continuous supply of water, continuous diffusion of O2 and H2 out of the electrolyzer, and exclusion of biological components that might contaminate the electrolyzer.

Abstract: Oxygen is supplied to cells in vitro or in vivo by generating oxygen with an oxygen generator that electrolyzes water to oxygen and hydrogen. Oxygen can be generated substantially without generating free hydrogen using a multilayer electrolyzer sheet having a proton exchange membrane sandwiched by an anode layer and a cathode layer. The oxygen generator may be used to supply oxygen to cells contained by a culture plate, a culture flask, a microtiter plate or an extracorporeal circuit, or to cells in an encapsulating chamber for implanting in the body such as an immunoisolation chamber bounded by a semipermeable barrier layer that allows selected components to enter and leave the chamber. A bioactive molecule may be present with the cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for carrying out affinity separations of proteins under conditions optimized for recovering biologically active protein. The method utilizes a membrane-bound ligand first to capture and separate a ligate from a fluid mixture and subsequently to release said ligate in purified form. The present methods enhance the yield of active ligate recovered in the process. The invention has particular relevance to the recovery and purification of proteins from mixtures.

Abstract: Improved reactive absorbent solutions for absorbing gaseous components are provided by incorporating weakly dissociating compounds in liquid absorbents. When the gaseous component to be dissolved is acid-forming, the absorbent solution should be alkaline, the weakly dissociated compound should be a weak acid or salt thereof, and the pH of the solution should approximate the pK.sub.A of the acid. When the gaseous component is base-forming, the liquid absorbent should be acidic, the weakly dissociating compound should be a weak base, and the pOH of the solution should approximately match the pK.sub.B of the weak base. The weakly dissociated compounds are 1 to 20 times more effective in increasing absorption rates, than additions of equivalent amounts of the primary acidic or basic reactants. Where the absorbed gas is desorbable, the addition of the weakly dissociating compounds has similar effects in increasing the rate of desorption.