Abstract: A method is provided for non-invasively predicting characteristics of one or more cells and cell derivatives. The method includes training a machine learning model using at least one of a plurality of training cell images representing a plurality of cells and data identifying characteristics for the plurality of cells. The method further includes receiving at least one test cell image representing at least one test cell being evaluated, the at least one test cell image being acquired noninvasively and based on absorbance as an absolute measure of light, and providing the at least one test cell image to the trained machine learning model. Using machine learning based on the trained machine learning model, characteristics of the at least one test cell are predicted. The method further includes generating, by the trained machine learning model, release criteria for clinical preparations of cells based on the predicted characteristics of the at least one test cell.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of producing an RPE cell population from a starting cell suspension, such as a single cell suspension, of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). Such a method may comprise culturing the starting single cell suspension of PSCs in differentiation media to produce human RPE cells.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing macular, central or peripheral human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. These methods include: a) culturing stem cells, such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), in a retinal induction medium to initiate differentiation of the cells into RPE progenitor cells; b) culturing the RPE progenitor cells in a retinal differentiation medium to further differentiate the RPE progenitor cells into committed RPE cells; c) culturing the committed RPE cells in a retinal medium to form immature RPE cells; and d) culturing the immature RPE cells in a RPE maturation medium including a retinoic acid receptor (RAR) antagonist and/or a canonical Wnt inhibitor, thereby producing macular, central or peripheral human RPE cells.

Abstract: A scaffold containing two layers is provided for attaching retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, photoreceptor progenitor (PRP) cells, or both. The scaffold includes a first layer containing poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and a second layer containing polycaprolactone (PCL) loops. Scaffolds containing mature RPE cells and PRP cells can be implanted into the eye of a subject to treat a retinal degenerative disease, retinal dysfunction, retinal degradation, retinal damage, or loss of retinal pigment epithelium.

Abstract: A method is provided for non-invasively predicting characteristics of one or more cells and cell derivatives. The method includes training a machine learning model using at least one of a plurality of training cell images representing a plurality of cells and data identifying characteristics for the plurality of cells. The method further includes receiving at least one test cell image representing at least one test cell being evaluated, the at least one test cell image being acquired noninvasively and based on absorbance as an absolute measure of light, and providing the at least one test cell image to the trained machine learning model. Using machine learning based on the trained machine learning model, characteristics of the at least one test cell are predicted. The method further includes generating, by the trained machine learning model, release criteria for clinical preparations of cells based on the predicted characteristics of the at least one test cell.

Abstract: A surgical clamp for aligning the margins of incised or wounded tissue has jaws with parallel clamping faces, and a handle for manipulating the clamp to align the margins of the tissue. The jaws are in a normally closed position, however they can be opened by compressing the handle to open the jaws. Prongs project from the inferior surface of the jaws. The clamp is positioned in a desired position over the margins of a wound to be closed, the prongs engage the margins of the wound to be aligned, and the jaws are closed by releasing compressive force on the handle. As the jaws close the prongs help move the tissue into alignment. Suture guide slots through the jaws assist in the placement of precisely placed sutures across the incision. The disclosed surgical clamp is particularly suited for selectively closing and reopening surgical incisions, such as a sclerotomy incision in the eye. Methods are disclosed for using the clamp during intraocular and other surgical or minimally invasive procedures.

Abstract: Disclosed devices for recovering cryopreserved tissue can comprise a receptacle that receives a sealed, frozen tissue container containing cryopreserved tissue and cryopreservation media, with at least one recovery media chamber and a waste material chamber fluidly coupled to the tissue container receptacle. The recovery device can be inserted into a regulator apparatus that facilitates thawing and warming of the media and tissue, and regulation of the flow of recovery media through the tissue container to flush out the thawed cryopreservation media into the waste chamber. The regulator can identify the tissue based on an ID tag on the tissue container and automatically apply an appropriate algorithm for thawing, culturing, and maintaining the tissue in a viable state.

Abstract: A surgical clamp for aligning the margins of incised or wounded tissue has jaws with parallel clamping faces, and a handle for manipulating the clamp to align the margins of the tissue. The jaws are in a normally closed position, however they can be opened by compressing the handle to open the jaws. Prongs project from the inferior surface of the jaws. The clamp is positioned in a desired position over the margins of a wound to be closed, the prongs engage the margins of the wound to be aligned, and the jaws are closed by releasing compressive force on the handle. As the jaws close the prongs help move the tissue into alignment. Suture guide slots through the jaws assist in the placement of precisely placed sutures across the incision. The disclosed surgical clamp is particularly suited for selectively closing and reopening surgical incisions, such as a sclerotomy incision in the eye. Methods are disclosed for using the clamp during intraocular and other surgical or minimally invasive procedures.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of producing a distinct bilayer culture of retinal epithelial cells (RPE) with photoreceptor cells and/or photoreceptor precursor cells (PR/PRP). Further provided herein is a therapy comprising transplantation of the RPE and PR/PRP bilayer as well as methods for testing candidate drugs using the bilayer.

Abstract: A method is provided for non-invasively predicting characteristics of one or more cells and cell derivatives. The method includes training a machine learning model using at least one of a plurality of training cell images representing a plurality of cells and data identifying characteristics for the plurality of cells. The method further includes receiving at least one test cell image representing at least one test cell being evaluated, the at least one test cell image being acquired noninvasively and based on absorbance as an absolute measure of light, and providing the at least one test cell image to the trained machine learning model. Using machine learning based on the trained machine learning model, characteristics of the at least one test cell are predicted. The method further includes generating, by the trained machine learning model, release criteria for clinical preparations of cells based on the predicted characteristics of the at least one test cell.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for fabricating a three-dimensional engineered blood retinal barrier (BRB) comprising a choroid and retinal pigment epithelial cells. The methods include the use of bioprinting. Also disclosed is a three-dimensional engineered BRB, and its use. Methods are also disclosed for using the three-dimensional engineered BRB, such as for the treatment of retinal degeneration in a subject or screening. A three-dimensional printing insert that is adapted for bioprinting on a culture substrate sheet that is securely retained within and exposed through a printing frame is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for non-invasively predicting characteristics of one or more cells and cell derivatives. The method includes training a machine learning model using at least one of a plurality of training cell images representing a plurality of cells and data identifying characteristics for the plurality of cells. The method further includes receiving at least one test cell image representing at least one test cell being evaluated, the at least one test cell image being acquired non-invasively and based on absorbance as an absolute measure of light, and providing the at least one test cell image to the trained machine learning model. Using machine learning based on the trained machine learning model, characteristics of the at least one test cell are predicted. The method further includes generating, by the trained machine learning model, release criteria for clinical preparations of cells based on the predicted characteristics of the at least one test cell.

Abstract: High efficiency methods for producing retinal pigment epithelial cells from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are disclosed herein. The iPSCs are produced from somatic cells, including retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, such as fetal RPE stem cells. In some embodiments, the iPSC include a tyrosinase promoter operably linked to a marker. Methods are disclosed for using the RPE cells, such as for treatment. Methods for screening for agents that affect RPE differentiation are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel method of treating or ameliorating a retinal disease or disorder or retinal degradation in a subject and a novel method of restoring retinal pigment epithelium cell compromising the administration of a one or more compounds which modulate Nox4, formation of radical oxygen species, serine protease, a dopamine receptor, NF-kB, mTOR, AMPK, RPE epithelial to mesenchymal transition, RPE dedifferentiation, or one or more Rho GTPases; and kits for administration of the methods.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for fabricating a three-dimensional engineered blood retinal barrier (BRB) comprising a choroid and retinal pigment epithelial cells. The methods include the use of bioprinting. Also disclosed is a three-dimensional engineered BRB, and its use. Methods are also disclosed for using the three-dimensional engineered BRB, such as for the treatment of retinal degeneration in a subject or screening. A three-dimensional printing insert that is adapted for bioprinting on a culture substrate sheet that is securely retained within and exposed through a printing frame is also disclosed.

Abstract: High efficiency methods for producing retinal pigment epithelial cells from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are disclosed herein. The iPSCs are produced from somatic cells, including retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, such as fetal RPE stem cells. In some embodiments, the iPSC include a tyrosinase promoter operably linked to a marker. Methods are disclosed for using the RPE cells, such as for treatment. Methods for screening for agents that affect RPE differentiation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Tissue replacement implants are disclosed that include polarized retinal pigment epithelial cells on a polylactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffold, wherein the PLGA scaffold is 20-30 microns in thickness, has a DL-lactide/glycotide ratio of about 1:1, an average pore size of less than about 1 micron, and a fiber diameter of about 150 to about 650 nm. Also disclosed are methods of treating a subject with a retinal degenerative disease, retinal or retinal pigment epithelium dysfunction, retinal degradation, retinal damage, or loss of retinal pigment epithelium. These methods include locally administering to the eye of the subject the tissue replacement implant. In further embodiments, methods are disclosed for producing the tissue replacement implant.

Abstract: A unified cell differentiation protocol for obtaining photoreceptor cells, retinal pigment epithelium, and 3D retinal organoid from pluripotent stem cells is described. Also described are photoreceptor cells, retinal pigmented epithelium, and 3D retinal organoid obtained from pluripotent stem cells. Also described are a pharmaceutical composition and a medicament containing the photoreceptor cells, retinal pigment epithelium, and 3D retinal organoid as described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of a system that maps employees' sentiments, and envisages a system for mapping employees' sentiments comprising a database, an input unit, a parser, a filter unit, a lexical analyse), an identifier, a mapping unit, an aggregator, a sentiments analyser, and a computation unit. The employee inputs are received through the input unit. The parser parses the inputs and generates tokens that are filtered based on the filter unit. Keywords are extracted from pre-determined list of keywords based on filtered words which are mapped with pre-determined group of themes and quantitative score based on the weightage score is computed by pre-determined weightage scores. The sentiments analyser analyses employee sentiments, based on quantitative score and computation unit computes a relationship between employee sentiments, employee feedback and employee performance.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of producing an RPE cell population from a starting cell suspension, such as a single cell suspension, of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). Such a method may comprise culturing the starting single cell suspension of PSCs in differentiation media to produce human RPE cells.