Abstract: The invention relates to a dissolvable gelatin-based microcarrier generated through droplet microfluidics. Also disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing said microcarrier and its use in the processes of cell culture and cell expansion of cells, such as mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs).

Abstract: Materials and methods for cell-mimetics having mechanical properties of biological neural axons are provided. A cell-mimetic device includes an array of fibers comprised of hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA) or an HDDA derivative, and at least one derivative of polyethylene glycol (PEG) selected from the group consisting of: PEG-acrylate, PEG-diacrylate, and any multi-arm PEG-acrylate.

Abstract: Materials and methods for cell-mimetics having mechanical properties of biological neural axons are provided. A cell-mimetic device includes an array of fibers comprised of hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA) or an HDDA derivative, and at least one derivative of polyethylene glycol (PEG) selected from the group consisting of: PEG-acrylate, PEG-diacrylate, and any multi-arm PEG-acrylate.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide improved methods and apparatus for use in in vitro modeling of the interaction of cells with cellular constructs/parts/axons, including axon mimetics and use of three-dimensional fibers.

Abstract: Current techniques for measuring chemical expansion in thin film structures are too slow, too imprecise, or require synchrotrons. In contrast, nanoscale electrochemomechanical spectroscopy (NECS) can be used to make nanoscale measurements at time scales of seconds with simple contact or non-contact sensors. In a NECS measurement, a sample, such as thin-film oxide structure, is subjected to a temporally modulated stimulus, such as a sinusoidally alternating voltage. The stimulus causes the sample to expand, contract, deflect, or otherwise deform. A sensor, such as a contact probe or optical sensor, produces an electrical signal in response to this deformation that is correlated with the temporal modulation of the stimulus. Because the stimulus and deformation are correlated, the temporal modulation of the stimulus can be used to filter the deformation signal produced by the sensor, producing a precise, sensitive measurement of the deformation.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide improved methods and apparatus for use in in vitro modeling of the interaction of cells with cellular constructs/parts/axons, including axon mimetics and use of three-dimensional fibers.

Abstract: Materials and methods for cell-mimetics having mechanical properties of biological neural axons are provided. A cell-mimetic device includes an array of fibers comprised of hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA) or an HDDA derivative, and at least one derivative of polyethylene glycol (PEG) selected from the group consisting of: PEG-acrylate, PEG-diacrylate, and any multi-arm PEG-acrylate.

Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, populations of large mesenchymal stem cells (MSC)(as well as conditioned medium from these cells) with enhanced regenerative potential, as well as methods of culturing and using these populations, such as therapeutic methods of mediating tissue repair or enhancing homing and engraftment of hematopoietic stem cells. These large MSC populations can, in certain embodiments, be produced by biophysically sorting an MSC-containing population.

Abstract: Current techniques for measuring chemical expansion in thin film structures are too slow, too imprecise, or require synchrotrons. In contrast, nanoscale electrochemomechanical spectroscopy (NECS) can be used to make nanoscale measurements at time scales of seconds with simple contact or non-contact sensors. In a NECS measurement, a sample, such as thin-film oxide structure, is subjected to a temporally modulated stimulus, such as a sinusoidally alternating voltage. The stimulus causes the sample to expand, contract, deflect, or otherwise deform. A sensor, such as a contact probe or optical sensor, produces an electrical signal in response to this deformation that is correlated with the temporal modulation of the stimulus. Because the stimulus and deformation are correlated, the temporal modulation of the stimulus can be used to filter the deformation signal produced by the sensor, producing a precise, sensitive measurement of the deformation.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator expands or deflects in response to an applied voltage. Unfortunately, the voltage required to actuate a piezoelectric device is usually on the order of MV/cm. And most piezoelectric devices don't work well, if at all, at temperatures above 450° C. Fortunately, an oxide film actuator can work at temperatures above 450° C. and exhibits displacements of nanometers to microns at actuation voltages on the order of mV. Applying a voltage across an oxide film disposed on an ionically conducting substrate pumps oxygen ions into the oxide film, which in turn causes the oxide film to expand. This expansion can be controlled by varying the voltage based on the open-circuit potential across the oxide film and the substrate. Thanks to their low actuation voltages and ability to work at high temperatures, oxide-based actuators are suitable for applications from robotics to nuclear reactors.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide improved methods and apparatus for use in in vitro modeling of the interaction of cells with cellular constructs/parts/axons, including axon mimetics and use of three-dimensional fibers.

Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, populations of large mesenchymal stem cells (MSC)(as well as conditioned medium from these cells) with enhanced regenerative potential, as well as methods of culturing and using these populations, such as therapeutic methods of mediating tissue repair or enhancing homing and engraftment of hematopoietic stem cells. These large MSC populations can, in certain embodiments, be produced by biophysically sorting an MSC-containing population.

Abstract: A method of detecting one or more diseased blood cells in a blood sample includes introducing a blood sample into at least one inlet of a microfluidic device comprising one or more linear channels wherein each channel has a length and a cross-section of a height and a width defining an aspect ratio adapted to isolate diseased blood cells along at least one portion of the cross-section of the channel based on reduced deformability of diseased blood cells as compared to non-diseased blood cells, wherein diseased blood cells flow along a first portion of the channel to a first outlet and non-diseased blood cells flow along a second portion of the channel to a second outlet. The one or more channels can be adapted to isolate cells along portions of the cross-section of the channel based on cell size. In some embodiments, the one or more channels can be spiral channels.

Abstract: A method of detecting one or more diseased blood cells in a blood sample includes introducing a blood sample into at least one inlet of a microfluidic device comprising one or more linear channels wherein each channel has a length and a cross-section of a height and a width defining an aspect ratio adapted to isolate diseased blood cells along at least one portion of the cross-section of the channel based on reduced deformability of diseased blood cells as compared to non-diseased blood cells, wherein diseased blood cells flow along a first portion of the channel to a first outlet and non-diseased blood cells flow along a second portion of the channel to a second outlet. The one or more channels can be adapted to isolate cells along portions of the cross-section of the channel based on cell size. In some embodiments, the one or more channels can be spiral channels.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that can provide estimates of elasto-plastic properties of material samples using data from instrumented indentation tests. Alternatively, or in addition, estimated load-depth curves can be constructed by certain methods and systems provided based on known mechanical properties. Some disclosed systems and methods use large deformation theory for at least part of the analysis and/or determinations and/or may account for strains of at least 5% in the area of contact between the indenter and the material sample, which can result in more accurate estimates of mechanical properties and/or deformation behavior.