Abstract: Described are tubular silk fibroin compositions and methods for their manufacture and use. Tubular compositions as described herein can be produced in a range of high burst strengths, can easily be made in a range of inner diameters, can be derivatized with functional moieties, and can be produced in a range of permeabilities suitable for particularized uses. In one aspect, the tubular compositions can be used in the repair or replacement of damaged or diseased blood vessels, including, but not limited to vessels smaller than about 6 mm.

Abstract: An anatomically-shaped, human bone graft may be cultivated ex vivo using a bioreactor capable of perfusing large complex porous scaffolds. Scaffolds derived from image-based modeling of a target are seeded with human mesenchymal stem cells and cultivated. A bioreactor configured to house complex three-dimensional scaffold geometries provides controlled flow for perfusion of the cells. Dense uniform cellular growth can be attained throughout the entire scaffold as a result of the medium perfusion. In an embodiment, the bioreactor has a mold into which perfusion medium is pumped under pressure and multiple ports through which the medium exits the mold.

Abstract: An anatomically-shaped, human bone graft may be cultivated ex vivo using a bioreactor capable of perfusing large complex porous scaffolds. Scaffolds derived from image-based modeling of a target are seeded with human mesenchymal stem cells and cultivated. A bioreactor configured to house complex three-dimensional scaffold geometries provides controlled flow for perfusion of the cells. Dense uniform cellular growth can be attained throughout the entire scaffold as a result of the medium perfusion. In an embodiment, the bioreactor has a mold into which perfusion medium is pumped under pressure and multiple ports through which the medium exits the mold.

Abstract: A cardiac organoid containing 3-D matter of adult human heart tissue.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides biocompatible scaffold that promotes M1 or M2 macrophage phenotypes so as to increase vascularization or healing. Also provided are methods of treating a subject in need with the scaffolds described here.

Abstract: A 3D decellularized bone scaffold seeded with cancer cells, such as prostate cancer cells or Ewing's sarcoma is provided. It provides platform technology for controllable, quantitative, long-term studies of tissue-engineered tumors, including prostate cancer and Ewing's sarcoma. The scaffold can be used with cancer cell lines to identify therapeutic targets to slow, stop, and reverse tumor growth and progression as well as to predict the efficacy of potential therapeutics.

Abstract: An integrated system for detecting safety and/or efficacy issues related to potential drug compounds by combining tissue maturation, imaging and electrophysiology measurements, at high throughput, with high signal to noise ratio. Testing includes cardiotoxicity screening, drug screening, and screening for cardiogenic factors via on-line physiological measurements.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for forming an immobilized agent gradient within a 3-dimensional porous scaffold. A 3-dimensional scaffold formed from a biocompatible material is provided. The surface of the scaffold and/or the agent is activated so as to allow binding of the agent to the scaffold. The activated scaffold is contacted with a solution containing the agent. Contact with the solution is maintained for a sufficient period of time to allow diffusion of the solution through a portion of the scaffold, thereby forming a desired gradient of the agent through the 3-dimensional scaffold.

Abstract: Disclosed are bioreactor devices, systems and methods. A bioreactor system can include one or more bioreactor modules that can be individually controllable and identifiable. A bioreactor module can be connected to one or more functional modules such as a pump module, a stimulation signal generation module, a motor module, a mechanical transmission module, a gas exchange module, a temperature module, a humidity module and/or a CO2 module, among others. The bioreactor and functional modules can include standard or universal connectors to facilitate connection and movement of modules. The bioreactor system can be controlled and/or monitored by a controller that can individually identify and control each connected module and that can be adapted to collect signal data from sensors embedded in any of the modules.

Abstract: A perfusion bioreactor chamber for engineering a broad spectrum of tissues. The bioreactor allows controlled distribution of fluid through or around scaffolding materials of various shapes, structures and topologies during prolonged periods of cultivation.

Abstract: Disclosed are bioreactor devices, systems and methods. A bioreactor system can include one or more bioreactor modules that can be individually controllable and identifiable. A bioreactor module can be connected to one or more functional modules such as a pump module, a stimulation signal generation module, a motor module, a mechanical transmission module, a gas exchange module, a temperature module, a humidity module and/or a CO2 module, among others. The bioreactor and functional modules can include standard or universal connectors to facilitate connection and movement of modules. The bioreactor system can be controlled and/or monitored by a controller that can individually identify and control each connected module and that can be adapted to collect signal data from sensors embedded in any of the modules.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for producing porous silk fibroin scaffold material. The porous silk fibroin scaffold can be used for tissue engineering. The porosity of the silk fibroin scaffolds described herein can be adjusted as to mimic the gradient of densities found in natural tissue. Accordingly, methods for engineering of 3-dimensional tissue, e.g. bone and cartilage, using the silk fibroin scaffold material are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for making a biomaterial device includes a support structure providing a shape for a biomaterial device. At least one applicator has a supply of biomaterial solution and is positioned along the support structure. The at least one applicator forms a biomaterial fiber by applying shear force to the biomaterial solution and delivering the biomaterial fiber to the support structure. A controller causes relative movement between the support structure and the at least one applicator, and the biomaterial fiber is arranged on the support structure according to the relative movement to form the biomaterial device. The biomaterial may be silk fibroin which may be wound onto a reciprocating and rotating mandrel. Control over the properties of the biomaterial device is achieved through appropriate selection of material processing, winding strategy, and post-winding processing.

Abstract: Region-specific extracellular matrix (ECM) biomaterials are provided. Such materials include acellular scaffolds, sponges, solutions, and hydrogels suitable for stem cell culture.

Abstract: Methods for determining cell chirality using micropatterned substrates are disclosed. Also provided are methods for diagnosing diseases such as genetic diseases or cancer by comparing the chirality of sample cells from a subject with normal cells, and determining a difference in chirality between the sample cells and normal cells.

Abstract: The vasculature of a donor lung is perfused with a lung preserving fluid to preserve its structure. At the same time, a decellularization fluid is perfused through the airways, which strips away donor cells. The decellularized region is then seeded with pulmonary cells of the transplant recipient, which regenerate the lung. The pulmonary cells may be derived from stem cells, and the decellularization can be targeted to reduce the quantity of cells required.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for producing porous silk fibroin scaffold material. The porous silk fibroin scaffold can be used for tissue engineering. The porosity of the silk fibroin scaffolds described herein can be adjusted as to mimic the gradient of densities found in natural tissue. Accordingly, methods for engineering of 3-dimensional tissue, e.g. bone and cartilage, using the silk fibroin scaffold material are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for forming an immobilized agent gradient within a 3-dimensional porous scaffold. A 3-dimensional scaffold formed from a biocompatible material is provided. The surface of the scaffold and/or the agent is activated so as to allow binding of the agent to the scaffold. The activated scaffold is contacted with a solution containing the agent. Contact with the solution is maintained for a sufficient period of time to allow diffusion of the solution through a portion of the scaffold, thereby forming a desired gradient of the agent through the 3-dimensional scaffold.

Abstract: The present invention provides new methods for the in vitro preparation of bioartificial tissue equivalents and their enhanced integration after implantation in vivo. These methods include submitting a tissue construct to a biomimetic electrical stimulation during cultivation in vitro to improve its structural and functional properties, and/or in vivo, after implantation of the construct, to enhance its integration with host tissue and increase cell survival and functionality. The inventive methods are particularly useful for the production of bioartificial equivalents and/or the repair and replacement of native tissues that contain electrically excitable cells and are subject to electrical stimulation in vivo, such as, for example, cardiac muscle tissue, striated skeletal muscle tissue, smooth muscle tissue, bone, vasculature, and nerve tissue.

Abstract: The present application provides a composition comprising porous silk fibroin scaffold material. The porous silk fibroin scaffold can be used for tissue engineering. The porosity of the silk fibroin scaffold described herein can be adjusted to mimic the gradient of densities found in natural tissue.