Abstract: A device for aggregating cells includes a cavity. The cavity includes a plurality of microwells for receiving at least one cell. Each of the microwells includes a vertical sidewall and a curved bottom. The microwells are made in a hydrogel layer. Each of said microwells has a diameter and an interwell distance between one microwell and another microwell, wherein a ratio for the interwell distance to the diameter is less than or equal to 1/10.

Abstract: Polarised three-dimensional cellular aggregates (or gastmloids) generated in vitro from one or more pluripotent stem cells are provided. Methods for obtaining polarised three-dimensional cellular aggregates and cells (e.g. progenitor cells and derivatives thereof) obtained from the polarised three-dimensional cellular aggregates are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides hydrogels and methods for three-dimensional (3D) culture of adult epithelial stem cells and uses thereof.

Abstract: A method of making an array having discrete volumes of cell culture micro-environments possessing different properties influencing the behavior of encapsulated cells, in particular proliferation, colony-formation, differentiation, migration, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for producing arrays of organoids, the arrays thereof and uses of such arrays.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for developing and maintaining organoids and the organoids produced thereby.

Abstract: A method for preparing a topographically structured hydrogel microarray is described comprising the steps of a) providing one or more types of biomolecule(s) on top of micropillars of an array of micropillars, preferably by means of robotical spotting, b) providing a partially crosslinked hydrogel on a substrate, preferably attached to a substantially rigid and/or planar substrate, c) simultaneously soft-embossing a hydrogel microwell array and transferring the biomolecule(s) from the micropillars to the microwells by pressing the micropillars of the array of step a) onto the partially crosslinked layer of hydrogel of step b) until substantial completion of crosslinking and d) demolding the array of micropillars of step a) from the hydrogel microwell array of step c).

Abstract: A method for preparing a topographically structured hydrogel microarray is described comprising the steps of a) providing one or more types of biomolecule(s) on top of micropillars of an array of micropillars, preferably by means of robotical spotting, b) providing a partially crosslinked hydrogel on a substrate, preferably attached to a substantially rigid and/or planar substrate, c) simultaneously soft-embossing a hydrogel microwell array and transferring the biomolecule(s) from the micropillars to the microwells by pressing the micropillars of the array of step a) onto the partially crosslinked layer of hydrogel of step b) until substantial completion of crosslinking and d) demolding the array of micropillars of step a) from the hydrogel microwell array of step c).

Abstract: The invention relates to a scaffold material comprising a carrier and embedded microbeads for use in tissue engineering applications such as soft tissues therapeutic treatment. The scaffold provides a short-term bulking effect coupled with a long-term functional activity. Both the carrier and the microbeads are substantially composed of natural or extracellular matrix-derived polymers, and the beads can comprise homogeneously distributed active agents, providing a regulated agent release along time. An aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing the microbeads of the invention by using an expressly designed microfluidic chip.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device (1) for aggregating cells comprising at least one cavity (2), wherein said cavity comprises a plurality of microwells (3) for receiving at least one cell, wherein each said well comprises a vertical sidewall and a curved bottom.

Abstract: The invention provides hydrogels and methods for three-dimensional (3D) culture of adult epithelial stem cells and uses thereof.

Abstract: A hydrogel precursor formulation, its process of production as well as a kit comprising the formulation and a method of production of a hydrogel using the formulation. The precursor formulation comprises at least one structural compound, preferably vinyl sulfone (acrylated branched) poly(ethylene glycol), and at least one linker compound, preferably a peptide with two cysteines. The structural compound and the linker compound are polymerizable by a selective reaction between a nucleophile and a conjugated unsaturated bond or group. The precursor formulation is in the form of a powder.

Abstract: A method of making an array having discrete volumes of cell culture micro-environments possessing different properties influencing the behavior of encapsulated cells, in particular proliferation, colony-formation, differentiation, migration, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogel precursor formulation, its process of production as well as a kit comprising said formulation and a method of production of a hydrogel using said formulation. The precursor formulation comprises at least one structural compound, preferably vinyl sulfone (acrylated branched) poly(ethylene glycol), and at least one linker compound, preferably a peptide with two cysteines, wherein said structural compound and said linker compound are polymerizable by a selective reaction between a nucleophile and a conjugated unsaturated bond or group. The precursor formulation is in the form of a powder.

Abstract: A composition comprising a first material and a second material, wherein said first material is cross-linkable by a first cross-linking reaction and said second material is cross-linkable by a second cross-linking reaction, wherein said first cross-linking reaction and said second cross-linking reaction are inducible by a common activator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a specific marker for stem cells having long-term multi-lineage blood reconstitution capability and uses thereof for the preparation of cell composition in view of hematopoietic stem cell medicine and in particular regenerative therapies and bone marrow transplantation. Further, the invention relates to methods and compositions useful in the prevention and/or treatment of decreased blood cell levels and the associated risk of infection.

Abstract: A method for preparing a topographically structured hydrogel microarray is described comprising the steps of a) providing one or more types of biomolecule(s) on top of micropillars of an array of micropillars, preferably by means of robotical spotting, b) providing a partially crosslinked hydrogel on a substrate, preferably attached to a substantially rigid and/or planar substrate, c) simultaneously soft-embossing a hydrogel microwell array and transferring the biomolecule(s) from the micropillars to the microwells by pressing the micropillars of the array of step a) onto the partially crosslinked layer of hydrogel of step b) until substantial completion of crosslinking and d) demolding the array of micropillars of step a) from the hydrogel microwell array of step c).

Abstract: The invention pertains to a combinatorial method of identifying the hydrogel formulations controlling phenotype and fate of difficult-to-culture cell types.

Abstract: A cell-based drug screening assay comprising the steps of: (i) culturing a cell population in a culturing environment, (ii) defining at least two monitoring points in time in dependency of at least one of the cell types, physiological characteristics of the cells, physiological characteristics of formed-tissue, the mode of action of a drug substance and the culturing environment, (iii) applying drug substances to the cultured cells at least at one treatment point in time, (iv) monitoring of the effect of the drug substance on cells or formed tissues at least at the two monitoring points in time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogel precursor formulation, its process of production as well as a kit comprising said formulation and a method of production of a hydrogel using said formulation. The precursor formulation comprises at least one structural compound, preferably vinyl sulfone (acrylated branched) poly(ethylene glycol), and at least one linker compound, preferably a peptide with two cysteines, wherein said structural compound and said linker compound are polymerizable by a selective reaction between a nucleophile and a conjugated unsaturated bond or group. The precursor formulation is in the form of a powder.