Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of inducing cell recruitment and tissue regeneration at a target site in a subject. It is also based, in part, on the discovery that a subject's own biologic resources and environmental conditions can be used for in situ tissue regeneration and thereby reduce or eliminate the need for donor cell procurement and ex vivo manipulation of such donor cells. Methods are disclosed for recruitment of a subject's own stem cells to a target region by inducing a sustained positive pressure at a target site, such as the kidney, thereby increasing the number of pluripotent cells capable of differentiating to regenerate the target tissue.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for repair of shoulder injuries by employing disaggregated muscle fiber fragments to regenerate functional shoulder muscle tissue. In some embodiments, the fragments retain functional satellite cells but exhibit cell wall rupture and have an average size of less than 150 ?m. The methods include the preparation and implantation of compositions by extracting muscle tissue from a donor site, disaggregating muscle fibers from the extracted tissue, and fragmenting disaggregated muscle fibers into fiber fragments that exhibit cell wall rupture and preferably have an average size of less than 150 microns, more preferable less than about 100 microns, while retaining functional satellite cells. Upon injection, e.g., into the supraspinatus or other rotator cuff muscles, the muscle fiber fragment compositions are capable of reconstituting or reconstructing elongated muscle fibers from the fragments and orienting in alignment with native shoulder muscle fibers.

Abstract: The present application relates to biomimetic three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds, constructs and methods of making the same. The three-dimensional scaffold can include a sacrificial internal cast and a durable external scaffold material, wherein the durable external scaffold material comprises a biocompatible material which completely surrounds the sacrificial internal cast and wherein the sacrificial internal cast be removed to yield a branching 3D network of hollow, vessel-like tubes that substantially mimics a native tissue or organ.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for isolating cells from a subject by circulating the subject's body fluid over an affinity moeity coupled matrix to isolate cells from a subject either ex vivo or in vivo. One aspect of the invention is directed to connecting a subject to a system capable of circulating the subject's body fluid through an affinity moiety coupled matrix, such that the affinity moiety coupled matrix is capable of binding to and extracting target cells from the body fluid, and then eluting the target cells from the affinity moiety. Another aspect of the invention is directed to the apparatus for isolating cells from a subject, comprising a blood circulation system with an arterial side blood circuit for extracting blood and flowing the blood over an affinity moiety coupled matrix that binds to and extracts target cells and a venous side blood circuit for returning the blood to the patient.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of inducing cell recruitment and tissue regeneration at a target site in a subject. It is also based, in part, on the discovery that a subject's own biologic resources and environmental conditions can be used for in situ tissue regeneration and thereby reduce or eliminate the need for donor cell procurement and ex vivo manipulation of such donor cells. Methods are disclosed for recruitment of a subject's own stem cells to a target region by inducing a sustained positive pressure at a target site, such as the kidney, thereby increasing the number of pluripotent cells capable of differentiating to regenerate the target tissue.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and compositions for obtaining uniform sized muscle fiber fragments for transplantation. These muscle fiber fragments are able to reconstitute into long fibers that are oriented along native muscle. The implanted muscle cells integrate with native vascular and neural network, as confirmed by histology and immunohistochemistry. This invention is particularly advantageous because autologous muscle can be harvested from a donor site, processed and injected into target sites in the operating room. The fragmented muscle fibers can be readily integrated within the host.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of inducing cell recruitment and tissue regeneration at a target site in a subject. It is also based, in part, on the discovery that a subject's own biologic resources and environmental conditions can be used for in situ tissue regeneration and thereby reduce or eliminate the need for donor cell procurement and ex vivo manipulation of such donor cells. Methods are disclosed for recruitment of a subject's own stem cells to a target region by inducing a sustained positive pressure at a target site, such as the kidney, thereby increasing the number of pluripotent cells capable of differentiating to regenerate the target tissue.

Abstract: A method of forming an array of viable cells is carried out by ink-jet printing a cellular composition containing said cells on a substrate. At least two different types of viable mammalian cells are printed on the substrate, the at least two different types of viable mammalian cells selected to together form a tissue. In some embodiments at least three or four different viable mammalian cells are printed on the substrate, the cells selected to together form a tissue. In some embodiments one of the viable mammalian cell types is a stem cell. In some embodiments the method further comprises printing at least one support compound on the substrate, the support compound selected to form a tissue together with said cells. In some embodiments the method further comprises printing at least one growth factor on the substrate, the growth factor selected to cause the cells to form a tissue.

Abstract: A plug for a body aperture in a vehicle body includes a base, a locating surface and a lip portion of the base. The base is shaped and sized to completely overlap the aperture. The locating surface is disposed on a first side of the base, extending substantially normal to the base. The locating surface is complementary in shape to the aperture for receipt thereby. The lip portion connects the locating surface with an outer perimeter of the base. A receiving groove is disposed in the lip portion.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and compositions for obtaining uniform sized muscle fiber fragments for transplantation. These muscle fiber fragments are able to reconstitute into long fibers that are oriented along native muscle. The implanted muscle cells integrate with native vascular and neural network, as confirmed by histology and immunohistochemistry. This invention is particularly advantageous because autologous muscle can be harvested from a donor site, processed and injected into target sites in the operating room. The fragmented muscle fibers can be readily integrated within the host.

Abstract: The present application relates to biomimetic three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds, constructs and methods of making the same. The three-dimensional scaffold can include a sacrificial internal cast and a durable external scaffold material, wherein the durable external scaffold material comprises a biocompatible material which completely surrounds the sacrificial internal cast and wherein the sacrificial internal cast be removed to yield a branching 3D network of hollow, vessel-like tubes that substantially mimics a native tissue or organ.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of inducing cell recruitment and tissue regeneration at a target site in a subject. It is also based, in part, on the discovery that a subject's own biologic resources and environmental conditions can be used for in situ tissue regeneration and thereby reduce or eliminate the need for donor cell procurement and ex vivo manipulation of such donor cells. Methods are disclosed for recruitment of a subject's own stem cells to a target region by inducing a sustained positive pressure at a target site, such as the kidney, thereby increasing the number of pluripotent cells capable of differentiating to regenerate the target tissue.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and compositions for obtaining uniform sized muscle fiber fragments for transplantation. These muscle fiber fragments are able to reconstitute into long fibers that are oriented along native muscle. The implanted muscle cells integrate with native vascular and neural network, as confirmed by histology and immunohistochemistry. This invention is particularly advantageous because autologous muscle can be harvested from a donor site, processed and injected into target sites in the operating room. The fragmented muscle fibers can be readily integrated within the host.

Abstract: A plug for a body aperture in a vehicle body includes a base, a locating surface and a lip portion of the base. The base is shaped and sized to completely overlap the aperture. The locating surface is disposed on a first side of the base, extending substantially normal to the base. The locating surface is complementary in shape to the aperture for receipt thereby. The lip portion connects the locating surface with an outer perimeter of the base. A receiving groove is disposed in the lip portion.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions and methods for the selective expression of a target gene in a subset of cells. In certain embodiments, the present invention includes a construct comprising a first nucleic acid sequence comprising an episomal maintenance element and a second nucleic acid sequence comprising a target gene wherein the expression of the episomal maintenance element is regulated by a constitutive promoter and the expression of the target gene is regulated by a non-constitutive promoter. The construct is able to maintain episomal state, no matter whether the target gene is expressed in the cell.

Abstract: A method of producing organized skeletal muscle tissue from precursor muscle cells in vitro comprises: (a) providing precursor muscle cells on a support in a tissue media; then (b) cyclically stretching and relaxing the support at least twice along a first axis during a first time period; and then (c) optionally but preferably maintaining the support in a substantially static position during a second time period; and then (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) for a number of times sufficient to enhance the functionality of the tissue formed on the support and/or produce organized skeletal muscle tissue on the solid support from the precursor muscle cells.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for preparing artificial heart valves by preconditioning a matrix seeded with endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells differentiated from isolated progenitor cells. These cell seeded matrices are exposed to fluid conditions that mimic blood flow through the heart to produce tissue engineered heart valves that are analogous to native heart valves.

Abstract: A method of producing organized skeletal muscle tissue from precursor muscle cells in vitro comprises: (a) providing precursor muscle cells on a support in a tissue media; then (b) cyclically stretching and relaxing the support at least twice along a first axis during a first time period; and then (c) optionally but preferably maintaining the support in a substantially static position during a second time period; and then (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) for a number of times sufficient to enhance the functionality of the tissue formed on the support and/or produce organized skeletal muscle tissue on the solid support from the precursor muscle cells.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of inducing cell recruitment and tissue regeneration at a target site in a subject. It is also based, in part, on the discovery that a subject's own biologic resources and environmental conditions can be used for in situ tissue regeneration and thereby reduce or eliminate the need for donor cell procurement and ex vivo manipulation of such donor cells. Methods are disclosed for recruitment of a subject's own stem cells to a target region by inducing a sustained positive pressure at a target site, such as the kidney, thereby increasing the number of pluripotent cells capable of differentiating to regenerate the target tissue.