Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for improving the efficiency of a transient gene delivery system to differentiating embryonic stem (ES) cells by serum starving the targeted cells for one to three days prior to transfection. Such a serum starvation surprisingly resulted in increased expression of a constitutively-controlled plasmid from 50.4% to 83.2% of the population and increased expression of a promoter/enhancer controlled plasmid from ˜1.4% to ˜3.7% of the population.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery of a potent growth factor delivery system by creating a fusion polypeptide that includes two portions: (i) keratinocyte growth factor protein, and (ii) an elastin-like peptide. This chimera can be administered directly to a wound site, accelerating recovery.

Abstract: This invention discloses devices and methods for high throughput skin sensitization detection. The devices comprise a microfabricated chamber comprising a region having one or more input channels and an outlet, and a face suitable for mounting a skin tissue and in fluidic communication with the region. The devices can be used in the methods for determining a prognosis of sensitization in an animal subject and identifying compounds that do not cause sensitization and thus are suitable for preparing cosmetic compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methods for identifying a compound for de-fatting and functional recovery of macrosteatotic hepatocytes.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for high-throughput assessment of in vivo skin sensitizing activity of chemical compounds through detection of secretion levels of cytokine markers implicated in skin sensitization in combination with a multivariate analysis, using support vector machine (SVM) for feature selection. The invention includes a computational algorithm that will provide unbiased analysis on the skin cell secretome data and predict the level of skin sensitization. The invention allows accurate assessment of the level sensitizing potency of any chemicals in a high-throughput manner, which can eliminate the needs for animal experiments, potentially saving money and time.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate to compositions and methods for treating the inflammatory response in a tissue or organ, such as the liver, by contacting the tissue with a tissue-specific gap junction inhibitor; and compositions and methods of reducing the toxicity of an agent by administering a gap junction inhibitor either simultaneously or sequentially with exposure to the agent. For example, inhibition of the liver-specific gap junction connexin 32 by 2 aminoethyoxydiphenyl-borate, effectively treats and/or prevents hepatotoxicity.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods and compositions to determine viability of an organ for transplantation and other medical purposes. One aspect of the invention relates to a method for assessing the viability of an organ by measuring the energy parameters to determine the energy level of the organ by determining the stored cellular energy (e.g., ATP levels), and/or energy consumption over a particular time period of viability. The energy parameters can be compared to reference energy parameters as a highly accurate and reliable prediction of viable cell yield, and organ viability. Another aspect of the invention relates methods to preserve or extend the time period of viability of an organ any combination of (i) preservation perfusion of the organ to prevent ischemic damage, (ii) chemical metabolic suppression of the organ e.g., using metabolic suppressants, (iii) metabolic suppression by physical or environmental conditions, e.g., sub-zero non-freezing storage.

Abstract: The invention relates to blood substitute compositions, and methods of use thereof. Described herein are compositions in which hemoglobin is maintained substantially in the reduced form of hemoglobin as opposed to the oxidized methemoglobin form through inclusion of an oxido-reductase enzyme and reducing agent within a vesicle with the hemoglobin. The vesicles additionally can comprise a dismutase, a catalase, and an electron acceptor, each of which contribute to either the maintenance of hemoglobin in the active oxygen carrying state or provide a benefit not achieved with free hemoglobin.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for fabricating a low-impedance nanoporous metal multiple electrode array for measuring electrophysiology activity. A patterned photoresist is applied to a substrate, in which the patterned photoresist corresponds to a pattern of the nanoporous metal multiple electrode array. A metal alloy including a sacrificial alloying element is deposited in the pattern of the nanoporous metal electrode array. The patterned photoresist is removed to expose the metal alloy as deposited. At least part of the sacrificial alloying element is removed from the metal alloy to create nanoporous metal electrode tips thereby forming the nanoporous metal multiple electrode array. The resultant nanoporous metal multiple electrode array has improved impedance characteristics in comparison to conventional multiple electrode arrays.

Abstract: Alginate polyelectrolyte encapsulation is used for the controlled differentiation of embryonic stem cells. An isolated cell population is provided. The cell population includes a single cell suspension of ES cells encapsulated within an alginate polyelectrolyte microenvironment. The encapsulated ES cells are capable of differentiating within said microenvironment into hepatocyte lineage cells in the absence of embryoid body intermediates or growth factor supplementation.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a microfluidic device for encapsulation, incubation, and analysis of cell surface markers or secreted molecules from a single cell.

Abstract: Described are compositions and methods for treating liver disease, e.g., acute liver disease, using bone marrow-derived stem cells and bone marrow-derived stem cell conditioned media.

Abstract: Described are compositions and methods for treating liver disease, e.g., acute liver disease, using bone marrow-derived stem cells and bone marrow-derived stem cell conditioned media.

Abstract: This application discloses alginate microencapsulation-mediated differentiation of embryonic stem cells and use of the stem cell differentiation method for the development of effective treatment of various diseases and disorders. The microencapsulation of embryonic stem (ES) cells results in decreased cell aggregation and enhanced neural lineage differentiation through incorporating the soluble inducer retinoic acid (RA) into the permeable microcapsule system. This application also discloses a micro-encapsulation system for immobilizing mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) while sustaining the molecular communication. Thus, the invention provides the use of encapsulated mesenchymal stromal cells in the cellular transplantation therapies. Moreover, the invention provides methods for delivery of encapsulated MSCs into the central nervous system and therapies derived therefrom, such as, the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI) and other inflammatory conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of treatment of hepatitis C, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and inflammation, with flavonoid-sugar complexes.

Abstract: The invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery that if a tissue is irradiated with a sublethal dose of radiation, e.g., from a laser, that pigmented cells in the tissue are selectively stimulated to proliferate and to produce higher levels of certain mitogenic factors and growth factors such as platelet derived growth factor (PDGF). In particular, the various parameters of a pulsed laser beam, such as power, pulse duration, total radiation energy (‘fluence’), wavelength, and if multiple pulses are used, the pulse rate and total number of pulses, are carefully selected and controlled to minimize killing the irradiated pigmented cells.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery of a potent growth factor delivery system by creating a fusion polypeptide that includes two portions: (i) keratinocyte growth factor protein, and (ii) an elastin-like peptide. This chimera can be administered directly to a wound site, accelerating recovery.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for detecting an immune reaction to a test agent using an immune modeling system comprising a barrier component configured to culture a biological barrier, an immune component configured to culture immune cells, and one or more inter-component microfluidic connections between the barrier component and the immune component. The system provides for culturing a biological barrier in the barrier component of the system, culturing immune cells in the immune component of the system, applying the test agent to the biological barrier, and monitoring the immune cells to detect an immune reaction to the test agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for maturation, proliferation and maintenance of function in cells presenting hepatocyte characteristics and differentiated from stem cells. The cells of the present invention may be generated from stem cell grown in collagen sandwich configuration in the presence of a morphogen (e.g. S-NitrosoAcetylPenicillamine (SNAP) or Oncostatin-M (OSM)).

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for improving the efficiency of a transient gene delivery system to differentiating embryonic stem (ES) cells by serum starving the targeted cells for one to three days prior to transfection. Such a serum starvation surprisingly resulted in increased expression of a constitutively-controlled plasmid from 50.4% to 83.2% of the population and increased expression of a promoter/enhancer controlled plasmid from ˜1.4% to ˜3.7% of the population.