Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and compositions related to the preparation of immune cells, including engineered immune cells. Certain embodiments of the disclosure include compositions, cells, and methods related to engineered invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells for off-the-shelf use for clinical therapy. The iNKT cells may be produced from hematopoietic stem progenitor cells and may be suitable for allogeneic cellular therapy because they are HLA negative. In some aspects, the cells have imaging and suicide targeting capabilities.

Abstract: Three-dimensional biomimetic tissue scaffolds, as well as methods of manufacture of these scaffolds. The method is fully customizable to create a biomimetic tissue scaffold with shapes, densities, and geometries similar or identical to the tissue it imitates. For example, physiologically realistic collagen/PEG villi created using the method are designed to have a high-aspect ratio and curvature similar to villi found in the human small intestine. Accordingly, the biomimetic tissue scaffolds serve as an improved in vitro model for a wide variety of physiological research, as well as pharmacological testing and drug, compound, and/or metabolite uptake by cells growing on the scaffold, among many other uses.