Abstract: Methods and devices for cell or tissue culture are provided. One aspect provides a bioreactor having a gas permeable, closed-loop chamber for cell or tissue culture, and an oscillating means for moving the gas permeable, closed-loop chamber bidirectionally along an axis horizontal to an axis normal to the closed-loop chamber to force convection of cells and fluid in the gas permeable, closed-loop chamber. The bioreactor optionally includes a tissue engineering scaffold, an inlet means, an outlet means, and integrated sensors. Another aspect provides a bioreactor having a plurality of gas permeable, closed-loop chambers for cell or tissue culture. Methods of culturing cells and producing tissue constructs are also provided.

Abstract: A three-dimensional tissue engineering scaffold device and related methods are disclosed herein. The tissue engineering scaffold includes a plurality of polymers sheets. Each polymer sheet includes a plurality of micro-scale pores defined through the polymer sheet. The polymer sheets of the tissue engineering scaffold are aligned and stacked such that some of the pores of neighboring sheets are offset along at least one axis of the pores. The offset pores create features within the tissue engineering scaffold. In some implementations, the tissue engineering scaffold device is seeded with cells. In certain implementations, the tissue engineering scaffold is either implanted into a patient or used to grow functional tissue ex vivo.

Abstract: Methods and devices for cell or tissue culture are provided. One aspect provides a bioreactor having a gas permeable, closed-loop chamber for cell or tissue culture, and an oscillating means for moving the gas permeable, closed-loop chamber bidirectionally along an axis horizontal to an axis normal to the closed-loop chamber to force convection of cells and fluid in the gas permeable, closed-loop chamber. The bioreactor optionally includes a tissue engineering scaffold, an inlet means, an outlet means, and integrated sensors. Another aspect provides a bioreactor having a plurality of gas permeable, closed-loop chambers for cell or tissue culture. Methods of culturing cells and producing tissue constructs are also provided.

Abstract: Tissue engineered constructs including a matrix and cells transfected with a gene for a growth factor. The constructs may be implanted into a tissue site, where the growth factor gene enhances a metabolic function furthering integration of the construct in the tissue site. If the matrix is biodegradable, the metabolic result may include resorption of the matrix and replacement with tissue synthesized at least in part by the transfected cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method for expanding cells for use in tissue engineering. In particular the method provides specific biochemical factors to supplement cell culture medium during the expansion process in order to reproduce events occurring during embryonic development with the goal of regenerating tissue equivalents that resemble natural tissues both structurally and functionally. These specific biochemical factors improve proliferation of the cells and are capable of de-differentiation mature cells isolated from tissue so that the differentiation potential of the cells is preserved. The bioactive molecules also maintain the responsiveness of the cells to other bioactive molecules. Specifically, the invention provides methods for expanding chondrocytes in the presence of fibroblast growth factor 2 for use in regeneration of cartilage tissue.

Abstract: Tissue engineered constructs including a matrix and cells transfected with a gene for a growth factor. The constructs may be implanted into a tissue site, where the growth factor gene enhances a metabolic function furthering integration of the construct in the tissue site.

Abstract: A reactor system especially suited for removal of chemical species from the bloodstream or other biological solutions containing suspended material. The reactor contains species such as enzymes, antibodies, receptors, anti-toxins, and a variety of drugs or inorganic compounds immobilized on particulate supports and/or solid phase adsorbents which react with specific materials under the appropriate conditions.The reactor chamber is cylindrical and may optionally include a second cylinder internal to, and concentric with, the first cylinder, where the annular space between the pair of concentric cylinders forms the fluid path. The reactor chamber is oscillated through an arc of between approximately 50 and 90 degrees along an axis perpendicular to the axis of the flow of fluid through the reactor.