Abstract: The present invention relates to organotypic cultures of epidermal cells and the use thereof for the screening of pharmaceutical and cosmetic agents. Specifically, means for the improvement of the long-term stability of such cultures are disclosed. Thus, the present invention contemplates a skin equivalent comprising (a) a dermal equivalent comprising a matrix comprising nonwoven viscose fabric and fibroblasts and (b) keratinocytes. Moreover, the present invention contemplates a method for manufacturing the skin equivalent and a method for screening agents capable of influencing skin, such as a therapeutic or cosmetic agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to organotypic cultures of epidermal cells and the use thereof for the screening of pharmaceutical and cosmetic agents. Specifically, means for the improvement of the long-term stability of such cultures are disclosed. Thus, the present invention contemplates a skin equivalent comprising (a) a dermal equivalent comprising a matrix comprising nonwoven viscose fabric and fibroblasts and (b) keratinocytes. Moreover, the present invention contemplates a method for manufacturing the skin equivalent and a method for screening agents capable of influencing skin, such as a therapeutic or cosmetic agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides skin equivalents comprising human epidermal stem cells which are specifically labeled. The labeling is carried out with a marker capable of labeling slowly proliferating cells, e.g. iododeoxyuridine or PKH26. Particularly, the invention provides skin equivalents comprising labeled epidermal stem cells. The invention also provides corresponding uses and methods of using such cultures, e.g. in the fields of research and medical treatment of skin diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an implantable chamber (1) with a connecting element (2), comprising a connecting sleeve (6) and a surrounding contact surface (7), an insert element (3), comprising an insert sleeve (8) and a surrounding abutment surface (9). The insert sleeve (8) is inserted into the connecting sleeve (6) of the connecting element (2). The implantable chamber (1) further comprises a cap (4) with a surrounding edge (11), the cap (4) partly covering the connecting element (2) and the insert element (3), leaving an opening (13) on one side. The implantable chamber (1) contains a passive resonance circuit (14) with an inductance and a capacitance, the passive resonance circuit (14) surrounding at least part of a cavity (15) inside the insert element (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer substrate for cultivating tissue cells. The substrate is provided in form of an oxygen-permeable flat membrane, preferably with ultra-filtration properties, and has an optimized amine content of at least 10 nmole amine function per cm2 membrane. The substrate can be used to treat burns and other tissue defects. The substrate can be rapidly populated with cells, in particular with keratinozytes, and supports reorientation of the cells after the populated membrane is transferred to a wound or a dermis equivalent. The substrate can also be later easily detached from the newly formed tissue structure.

Abstract: The use in the medical-surgical field of biomaterials based on hyaluronic acid derivatives, optionally in association with natural, synthetic or semisynthetic biopolymers, for suppressing the angiogenic process associated with tumour proliferation (in primary and secondary tumours) is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to genetically modified fibroblast cells which comprise the following properties: (a) a gene, encoding a subunit of the transcription factor AP-1, of its genome is inactivated and/or a component, acting on the AP-1 transcription factor of the signal transduction pathway is modified resulting in a modified AP-1 activity; (b) functionally linked with a promoter, it contains in an expression vector the gene from (a) in a form such that the active subunit is only expressed after induction of the promoter or the subunit encoded by the gene is present in inactive form and a form that can be activated.

Abstract: Described is an immortalized human skin cell type line (preferably keratinocytes, fibroblasts and/or endothelial cells) stably transfected with a vector, wherein said vector comprises a promoter inducible by environmental hazards and a reporter gene in operative linkage thereto. Preferably, the keratinocyte line is the line HaCaT, the fibroblast line is the line WI-26 and the endothelial cell line is the line LT-2. In addition, a living skin equivalent is described. Furthermore, in vitro toxicity assays making use of these immortalized human skin cell type lines or the skin equivalent are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to genetically modified fibroblast cells which comprise the following properties: (a) a gene, encoding a subunit of the transcription factor AP-1, of its genome is inactivated and/or a component, acting on the AP-1 transcription factor of the signal transduction pathway is modified resulting in a modified AP-1 activity; (b) functionally linked with a promoter, it contains in an expression vector the gene from (a) in a form such that the active subunit is only expressed after induction of the promoter or the subunit encoded by the gene is present in inactive form and a form that can be activated.

Abstract: A petri dish has on its bottom a plurality of zones surrounded by elevated ridges spatially separating the zones from one another.