Abstract: A biological tissue adhesive composition is provided. The biological tissue adhesive composition comprises one or more macromolecules grafted with at least one catechol moiety and comprising at least one cross-linkable functional group, a first cross-linker for cross-linking the at least one catechol moiety, wherein the first cross-linker comprises or consists or a multivalent metal ion, and a second cross-linker for covalently cross-linking the at least one cross-linkable functional group, wherein the one or more macromolecules are cross-linked by (a) complex formation between the at least one catechol moiety and the multivalent metal ion, and (b) covalent bonding of the at least one cross-linkable functional group with the second cross-linker. Fabrication method and working principle of a biological tissue adhesive composition are also provided.

Abstract: Functionalized chondroitin sulfate, cross-linked polymer matrices comprising functionalized chondroitin sulfate, and methods of making and using the same are provided. Such polymer matrices may be used for tissue engineering, reconstructing cartilage, and the like. Kits are also provided for detection of cartilage degrading enzymes.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing hydrogel microparticles comprising one or more species of living cells attached thereon and/or encapsulated therein is provided. The method includes dissolving a hydrogel-forming agent in an aqueous medium to form a solution; suspending one or more species of living cells in the solution to form a cell suspension; dispersing the cell suspension into an organic oil to form a microemulsion; and subjecting the microemulsion to conditions that allow the hydrogel-forming agent to form hydrogel microparticles comprising one or more species of living cells attached thereon and/or encapsulated therein. Composition comprising a mixture of a degradable hydrogel and at least one hydrogel microparticle having one or more species of living cells, and method of manufacturing a scaffold for tissue engineering are also provided.

Abstract: A biological tissue adhesive composition is provided. The biological tissue adhesive composition comprises one or more macromolecules grafted with at least one catechol moiety and comprising at least one cross-linkable functional group, a first cross-linker for cross-linking the at least one catechol moiety, wherein the first cross-linker comprises or consists or 10 a multivalent metal ion, and a second cross-linker for covalently cross-linking the at least one cross-linkable functional group, wherein the one or more macromolecules are cross-linked by (a) complex formation between the at least one catechol moiety and the multivalent metal ion, and (b) covalent bonding of the at least one cross-linkable functional group with the second cross-linker. Fabrication method and working principle of a biological tissue adhesive 15 composition are also provided.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing hydrogel microparticles comprising one or more species of living cells attached thereon and/or encapsulated therein is provided. The method includes dissolving a hydrogel-forming agent in an aqueous medium to form a solution; suspending one or more species of living cells in the solution to form a cell suspension; dispersing the cell suspension into an organic oil to form a microemulsion; and subjecting the microemulsion to conditions that allow the hydrogel-forming agent to form hydrogel microparticles comprising one or more species of living cells attached thereon and/or encapsulated therein. Composition comprising a mixture of a degradable hydrogel and at least one hydrogel microparticle having one or more species of living cells, and method of manufacturing a scaffold for tissue engineering are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition and method for the covalent binding of a hydrogel to an extracellular matrix (ECM). Therapeutic applications include tissue repair and delivery of drugs or cells.

Abstract: Functionalized chondroitin sulfate, cross-linked polymer matrices comprising functionalized chondroitin sulfate, and methods of making and using the same are provided. Such polymer matrices may be used for tissue engineering, reconstructing cartilage, and the like. Kits are also provided for detection of cartilage degrading enzymes.

Abstract: Functionalized chondroitin sulfate, cross-linked polymer matrices comprising functionalized chondroitin sulfate, and methods of making and using the same are provided. Such polymer matrices may be used for tissue engineering, reconstructing cartilage, and the like. Kits are also provided for detection of cartilage degrading enzymes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition comprising a mixture of at least one degradable hydrogel and at least one kind of degradable and surface cross-linked particle. The at least one kind of degradable and surface cross-linked particle comprises a material which degrades faster than the degradable hydrogel. The composition can further comprise one or more species of living cells. The invention relates also to a method of manufacturing the composition, as well as to a method of manufacturing a scaffold for tissue engineering using the composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the covalent binding of a hydrogel to an extracellular matrix (ECM). The integration of the hydrogel with the tissue is superior to that in previous techniques. Moreover, unlike previous techniques, the present invention does not require a photoinitiator. Potential therapeutic applications include tissue repair and delivery of drugs or cells. The ECM is first exposed, then treated with a priming agent. Then a polymerizable agent is added and crosslinked to the ECM. Two primary embodiments of methods are disclosed. In the first, the priming agent is an oxidizer which creates tyrosyl radicals in the ECM, which are then bound by acrylate groups in the polymerizable agent. In the second, the priming agent contains aldehydes which bind amino groups in the ECM.

Abstract: Functionalized chondroitin sulfate, cross-linked polymer matrices comprising functionalized chondroitin sulfate, and methods of making and using the same are provided. Such polymer matrices may be used for tissue engineering, reconstructing cartilage, and the like. Kits are also provided for detection of cartilage degrading enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition and method for the covalent binding of a hydrogel to an extracellular matrix (ECM). Therapeutic applications include tissue repair and delivery of drugs or cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the covalent binding of a hydrogel to an extracellular matrix (ECM). The integration of the hydrogel with the tissue is superior to that in previous techniques. Moreover, unlike previous techniques, the present invention does not require a photoinitiator. Potential therapeutic applications include tissue repair and delivery of drugs or cells.