Abstract: The present invention teaches novel methods of diagnosing and prognosing conditions associated with tissue degeneration and/or pain, including intervertebral disc degeneration, discogenic pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and articular cartilage injury. Using the inventive noninvasive imaging methods, the diagnosis and prognosis of back pain and related conditions can be quickly and accurately determined by detecting one or more biomarkers disclosed herein.

Abstract: A system for qualifying cells of a cell sample labeled with a magnetic or magnetizable moiety is provided. The system includes a cell sample holder for holding a cell of the cells and a first cell analyzer which includes a magnetic field source for applying a magnetic field to the cell and a sensor for qualifying and/or quantifying an effect of the magnetic field on the cell.

Abstract: A composite scaffold for engineering a heterogeneous tissue is provided. The composite scaffold includes: (a) a first scaffold being capable of supporting formation of a first tissue type thereupon; and (b) a second scaffold being capable of supporting formation of a second tissue type thereupon; wherein the first scaffold and the second scaffold are arranged with respect to each other such that when the first scaffold supports the first tissue type and the second scaffold supports the second tissue type, a distance between any cell of the second tissue type and the first tissue type does not exceed 200 ?m.

Abstract: An improved composition for inducing bone growth is provided that is a combination of at least DBM and an oxygen carrier. Injection/implantation of a composition of DBM and an oxygen carrier (e.g. a perfluorocarbon) results in enhancement of bone formation compared to DBM alone.

Abstract: A method of generating bone or connective tissue in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising: (a) implanting a scaffold in a damaged region of the subject, the scaffold comprising a tissue growth promoting agent; and (b) enhancing uptake of the tissue growth promoting agent into cells located on the scaffold, wherein the enhancing is effected by induced poration of the cells thereby generating bone or connective tissue in the subject. Kits for generating bone or connective tissue are also provided.

Abstract: A system for qualifying cells of a cell sample labeled with a magnetic or magnetizable moiety is provided. The system includes a cell sample holder for holding a cell of the cells and a first cell analyzer which includes a magnetic field source for applying a magnetic field to the cell and a sensor for qualifying and/or quantifying an effect of the magnetic field on the cell.

Abstract: A system for qualifying cells of a cell sample labeled with a magnetic or magnetizable moiety is provided. The system includes a cell sample holder for holding a cell of the cells and a first cell analyzer which includes a magnetic field source for applying a magnetic field to the cell and a sensor for qualifying and/or quantifying an effect of the magnetic field on the cell.

Abstract: This invention is directed to methods, nucleic acids and compositions in TAK1-mediated regulation of SMAD activity. Promotion of TAK1 interaction with MH2 domains in SMADs negatively regulates SMAD biological activity. BMP-mediated SMAD activity is subject to TAK1 effects.

Abstract: Provided are fibrin or silk matrices comprising an oxygen carrier, and matrices, which comprise an oxygen carrier and mesenchymal stem cells. Also provided are methods of generating and using same for ex vivo or in vivo tissue regeneration and/or repair such as for treating a non-union bone fracture and a condition requiring spinal fusion.

Abstract: This invention provides method for repairing, regenerating, treating, or inducing the repair of an injury, a defect or a condition of a connective tissue of a subject. This invention provides a method of regenerating, enhancing, inducing repair and/or development of connective tissue as a result of a defect, injury or condition of the connective tissue of a subject comprising the step of inserting an engineered cell which comprises a nucleic acid encoding a SMAD protein or variant thereof, so as to induce regeneration, repair and/or development of the connective tissue. This invention further provides methods of ex-vivo implantation of engineered cells into an injury, defect or condition of the connective tissue. This invention also provides a nucleic acid encoding a SMAD 8 protein variant, cells comprising such SMAD 8 variant, include mesenchymal stem cells, progenitor cells or cells derived from a connective tissue. Lastly, this invention provides SMAD 8 protein variant.

Abstract: A composite scaffold for engineering a heterogeneous tissue is provided. The composite scaffold includes: (a) a first scaffold being capable of supporting formation of a first tissue type thereupon; and (b) a second scaffold being capable of supporting formation of a second tissue type thereupon; wherein the first scaffold and the second scaffold are arranged with respect to each other such that when the first scaffold supports the first tissue type and the second scaffold supports the second tissue type, a distance between any cell of the second tissue type and the first tissue type does not exceed 200 ?m.

Abstract: A system for qualifying cells of a cell sample labeled with a magnetic or magnetizable moiety is provided. The system includes a cell sample holder for holding a cell of the cells and a first cell analyzer which includes a magnetic field source for applying a magnetic field to the cell and a sensor for qualifying and/or quantifying an effect of the magnetic field on the cell.

Abstract: This invention is directed to methods, nucleic acids and compositions in TAK1-mediated regulation of SMAD activity. Promotion of TAK1 interaction with MH2 domains in SMADs negatively regulates SMAD biological activity. BMP-mediated SMAD activity is subject to TAK1 effects.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of enhancing repair of a cartilage and/or inducing formation of a cartilage by administering a cell, which expresses a factor of the T-box family, which includes inter-alia the brachyury. In another embodiment, the invention relates to an engineered cell, which is transfected with a vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a factor of the T-box family, thereby expressing a factor of the T-box family. In another embodiment, the invention relates to compositions comprising a vector, which comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a factor of the T-box family and in another embodiment the composition-comprising cell that expresses a factor of the T-box family, which includes inter-alia the brachyury.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of enhancing repair of a cartilage and/or inducing formation of a cartilage by administering a cell which expresses a factor of the T-box family, which includes inter-alia the brachyury. In another embodiment, the invention relates to an engineered cell, which is transfected with a vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a factor of the T-box family, thereby expressing a factor of the T-box family. In another embodiment, the invention relates to compositions comprising a vector which comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a factor of the T-box family and in another embodiment the composition comprising cell which expresses a factor of the T-box family, which includes inter-alia the brachyury.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of enhancing repair of a cartilage and/or inducing formation of a cartilage by administering a cell, which expresses a factor of the T-box family, which includes inter-alia the brachyury. In another embodiment, the invention relates to an engineered cell, which is transfected with a vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a factor of the T-box family, thereby expressing a factor of the T-box family. In another embodiment, the invention relates to compositions comprising a vector, which comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a factor of the T-box family and in another embodiment the composition-comprising cell that expresses a factor of the T-box family, which includes inter-alia the brachyury.

Abstract: This invention provides method for repairing, regenerating, treating, or inducing the repair of an injury, a defect or a condition of a connective tissue of a subject. This invention provides a method of regenerating, enhancing, inducing repair and/or development of connective tissue as a result of a defect, injury or condition of the connective tissue of a subject comprising the step of inserting an engineered cell which comprises a nucleic acid encoding a SMAD protein or variant thereof, so as to induce regeneration, repair and/or development of the connective tissue. This invention further provides methods of ex-vivo implantation of engineered cells into an injury, defect or condition of the connective tissue. This invention also provides a nucleic acid encoding a SMAD 8 protein variant, cells comprising such SMAD 8 variant, include mesenchymal stem cells, progenitor cells or cells derived from a connective tissue. Lastly, this invention provides SMAD 8 protein variant.

Abstract: This invention provides method for repairing, regenerating, treating, or inducing the repair of an injury, a defect or a condition of a connective tissue of a subject. This invention provides a method of regenerating, enhancing, inducing repair and/or development of connective tissue as a result of a defect, injury or condition of the connective tissue of a subject comprising the step of inserting an engineered cell which comprises a nucleic acid encoding a SMAD protein or variant thereof, so as to induce regeneration, repair and/or development of the connective tissue. This invention further provides methods of ex-vivo implantation of engineered cells into an injury, defect or condition of the connective tissue. This invention also provides a nucleic acid encoding a SMAD 8 protein variant, cells comprising such SMAD 8 variant, include mesenchymal stem cells, progenitor cells or cells derived from a connective tissue. Lastly, this invention provides SMAD 8 protein variant.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of enhancing repair of a cartilage and/or inducing formation of a cartilage by administering a cell which expresses a factor of the T-box family, which includes inter-alia the brachyury. In another embodiment, the invention relates to an engineered cell, which is transfected with a vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a factor of the T-box family, thereby expressing a factor of the T-box family. In another embodiment, the invention relates to compositions comprising a vector which comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a factor of the T-box family and in another embodiment the composition comprising cell which expresses a factor of the T-box family, which includes inter-alia the brachyury.

Abstract: The invention relates to tubularized tissue, which in one embodiment is a vascular tissue made by seeding cells on the exterior surface of a scaffold and incubating of the cells so as to form a tubular tissue with the scaffold inside. In another embodiment the invention relates to a hybrid tissue. In another embodiment, the invention relates to methods of using the same for example, for enhancing blood vessel formation in a patient, for promoting angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, for replacing damaged blood vessel and for determining cellular or tissue function of an agent.