Abstract: Cartilage has been constructed using biodegradable electrospun polymeric scaffolds seeded with chondrocytes or adult mesenchymal stem cells. More particularly engineered cartilage has been prepared where the cartilage has a biodegradable and biocompatible nanofibrous polymer support prepared by electrospinning and a plurality of chondocytes or mesenchymal stem cells dispersed in the pores of the support. The tissue engineered cartilages of the invention possess compressive strength properties similar to natural cartilage. Methods of preparing engineered tissues, including tissue engineered cartilages, are provided in which an electrospun nanofibrous polymer support is provided, the support is treated with a cell solution and the polymer-cell mixture cultured in a rotating bioreactor to generate the cartilage. The invention provides for the use of the tissue engineered cartilages in the treatment of cartilage degenerative diseases, reconstructive surgery, and cosmetic surgery.

Abstract: A graft containing a scaffold that includes a matrix in which are positioned mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) has the capacity to substantially improve wound healing, including wounds resulting from injury to nerve, bone and vascular tissue. MPCs can be harvested from debrided muscle tissue following orthopaedic trauma. The traumatized muscle-derived progenitor cells are a readily available autologous cell source that can be utilized to effect or improve wound healing in a variety of therapeutic settings and vehicles.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a tissue engineered intervertebral disc comprising at least one inner layer and an exterior layer, wherein: the exterior layer comprises a nanofibrous polymer support comprising one or more polymer nanofibers; the at least one inner layer comprises a hydrogel composition comprising at least one or more hydrogel materials and/or one or more polymer nanofibers; and a plurality of cells which are dispersed throughout the tissue engineered intervertebral disc. Additionally, the instant invention is directed to methods of making such intervertebral discs and methods of treating intervertebral disc damage.

Abstract: A bioreactor device, and a method and system for fabricating tissues and growing cells and tissues in the bioreactor device, accommodates less than about 1 mL (or less than about 200 ?L) of local medium volume but sample sizes of about 100 ?L or greater. The bioreactor device includes a bioreactor chamber for containing a sample, where sample growth in response to mechanical, electrical, and biofactor stimulation is monitored through one or more optical ports. Embedded sensors are provided for measuring fluid pressure, pH, temperature, and oxygen tension. The bioreactor device can receive different types of mechanical loadings, including fluid shear, hydrostatic pressure, matrix compression, and clinorotation.

Abstract: A bioreactor chamber assembly including a bioreactor chamber and an outer chamber assembly is provided. In one design, the bioreactor chamber includes an upper grip assembly having a plurality of struts extending downward terminating in upper grips, each strut terminating in an upper grip, and a lower grip assembly containing one or more sample compartments and a lower grip. A sample can be formed in situ via injection into a sleeve contained within the sample compartment, where the sleeve encloses the upper and lower grips and enables a construct to form attached to these grips. In a second design, a split mold is received in the bioreactor chamber, the split mold having a cavity for receiving the upper and lower grips. Tissue explants and engineered constructs can be held within these grips. Medium level in the sample compartment is controlled, and different lengths of samples can be accommodated in the sample compartment.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a population of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from bone, more particularly, adult human trabecular bone fragments. It is demonstrated that these cells have the potential to differentiate into multiple mesenchymal lineages. Therefore, those cells may be used for treating skeletal and other connective tissue disorders.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an in vitro engineered osteochondral graft comprising a porous matrix block, more particularly, a porous polylactic acid polymer block, press-coated with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), wherein a cartilage layer is formed on the surface of the matrix block. This invention may be used for treating articular cartilage defects.

Abstract: A method of detecting a bacterial infection in a patient comprising obtaining a patient sample; obtaining a sample of nucleic acids from the patient sample; separating charged cellular components from the nucleic acids using a mixed bed ion exchange resin; amplifying bacterial nucleic acids in the sample; and detecting the presence or absence of amplified nucleic acids wherein the presence of amplified nucleic acids indicates a bacterial infection.

Abstract: A modification of the standard BCA protocol is provided that allows sensitive and reliable protein determinations in a matter of seconds utilizing a microwave oven to irradiate the samples. Methods of determining protein concentrations in a sample are disclosed comprising the steps of combining the sample with a BCA assay reagent in a sample container, placing the sample container into a microwave oven, irradiating the sample and measuring an absorbance value at 562 nm for the sample. Protein concentrations are then determined by comparing the absorbance value with a known value based on a calibration curve. In preferred embodiments, the calibration curve is generated by placing one or more standards in the microwave oven and irradiating the standards. Preferably, the step of irradiating the sample is carried out for a duration of less than about 60 seconds and most preferably, for a duration of about 20 seconds.

Abstract: A modification of the standard BCA protocol is provided that allows sensitive and reliable protein determinations in a matter of seconds utilizing a microwave oven to irradiate the samples. Methods of determining protein concentrations in a sample are disclosed comprising the steps of combining the sample with a BCA assay reagent in a sample container, placing the sample container into a microwave oven, irradiating the sample and measuring an absorbance value at 562 nm for the sample. Protein concentrations are then determined by comparing the absorbance value with a known value based on a calibration curve. In preferred embodiments, the calibration curve is generated by placing one or more standards in the microwave oven and irradiating the standards. Preferably, the step of irradiating the sample is carried out for a duration of less than about 60 seconds and most preferably, for a duration of about 20 seconds.

Abstract: An antibiotic impregnated fracture fixation device and antibiotic impregnated drug delivery polymer are provided. In a preferred embodiment, a homogenous mixture of thermally melted poly(lactic) acid and at least one antibiotic and/or antibacterial agent are employed.

Abstract: A discontinuous polyacrylamide and agarose gel electrophoresis system is provided which allows the fine separation of proteins based on molecular weight with the concomitant retention of native enzymatic activity. This system, referred to as the CAT gel, uses the cationic detergent CTAB, and includes a stacking gel based on a zwitterion such as arginine and a buffer such as tricine. The CAT gel system allows specific enzyme histochemical detection and localization of proteins after gel electrophoresis. This system stacked and separated a broad range of proteins into discrete bands which migrate as a linear function of log M.sub.r. The effect of CTAB solubilization on the activity of several proteins is also shown. Proteins separated by CAT electrophoresis maintain high levels of native enzymatic activity, and may be detected histochemically in situ.