Abstract: Some embodiments of the methods and compositions provided herein relate to treating, inhibiting or ameliorating a skeletal muscular dystrophy with a polynucleotide encoding a SERCA2a polypeptide. In some embodiments, the muscular dystrophy comprises Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) or Becker's muscular dystrophy (BMD). In some embodiments, the polynucleotide comprises a viral vector, such as an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector. More embodiments include methods and compositions to screen for a therapeutic agent to treat, inhibit or ameliorate a skeletal muscular dystrophy in which the screen comprises an in vitro ventricular cardiac tissue model.

Abstract: A multi-sample system for engineered tissue strip assay includes a tissue module enabled with a set of channels each configured to house one or more tissue strips, each tissue strip is in contact with a sensor at one end and a tissue lengthening mechanism at the other end, the sensor is displaced or deformed when the tissue strip exerts force against the sensor during the lengthening or contraction of each tissue strip; and a detection system configured to capture change in the sensor in contact with the tissue strips during lengthening or contraction of at least one of the tissue strips.

Abstract: Provided are methods and materials for assaying known and candidate therapeutics for inotropic cardiac effects in one or more in vitro assay formats comprising preloaded cardiac tissues and/or organoids.

Abstract: A system for screening compounds for therapeutic cardiac effects in the cells, tissues and organoids (1) of patients having diseases such as neurological diseases or disorders with significant cardiac comorbidities. The system comprises a medical device apparatus that can be suitable for a single-tier screen for cardio-active compounds that comprises a human ventricular cardiac anisotropic sheet (hvCAS) and human ventricular cardiac tissue strip (hvCTS), a two-tier system further comprising human ventricular cardiac organoid chamber (hvCOC) (20), or a three-tier system still further comprising a medical device comprising multiple organoids (20), which include tissues or organoids (1) of the same or different type (e.g., heart, liver, pancreas, kidney).

Abstract: A two-stage or two-tier system and method for rapid screening of compounds for inotropic effects is disclosed. The system comprises, in a first tier, an engineered cardiac tissue strip (CTS) comprising cardiomyocytes, such as human ventricular cardiomyocytes, embedded in a biocompatible gel wherein the gel comprises at least two biocompatible structural supports such as polydimethylsiloxane posts for elevating the gel. The system further comprises, in a second tier, an apparatus comprising at least one organoid module comprising at least one organoid cartridge, wherein each organoid cartridge comprises an organoid, and a minor arrangement. The system further comprises at least one detection device, such as a high-speed camera, for detecting deflection of the CTS gel in the first tier of the system and/or for detecting tissue or organoid behavior in the organoid cartridge or cartridges of the second tier of the system.

Abstract: Methods to prepare electrophysiology mature cells from immature cells are provided, without the need for genetic manipulation.

Abstract: Raman spectra of cells, such as normal human T- and B-cells from peripheral blood or human tonsil and the corresponding transformed cells are obtained by optically trapping the cells and obtaining their Raman spectra. The trapped cells can be subjected to one, two, or more different excitation wavelengths, and each wavelength of the corresponding Raman spectra can be stored in a separate channel. In preferred embodiments, two spectra are subtracted from each other to give a difference spectrum and each channel is analyzed independently to characterize the trapped cell. Alternatively, the Raman spectrum can be subjected to Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in order to characterize the trapped cell. The trapped cell thus classified can be sorted, or further manipulated.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a substrate for the ordered growth and development of cardiomyocytes such as ventricular cardiomyocytes derived from pluripotent stem cells along with methods of culturing the cells on the substrates for use in assays such as cardiotoxicity assays.

Abstract: Provided are devices and methods of preparing a population of cardiomyocytes by aligning undifferentiated pluripotent cells on a nanosacale textured surface.

Abstract: Methods to prepare electrophysiology mature cells from immature cells are provided, without the need for genetic manipulation.

Abstract: A coated substrate including a 1 to 3 mils thick coating layer has a Bayer abrasion resistance value of less than 1% Haze after 600 cycles. The coating layer includes a reaction product of a coating composition including a polyester diol, a di-isocyanate, and a fluorocarbon-based additive. A method of forming the coating layer on the substrate includes mixing reactants including a polyester diol, a di-isocyanate and a flurocarbon-based additive to form a polyurethane coating composition; depositing the polyurethane coating composition on the substrate; and curing the polyurethane coating composition to form an abrasion resistant coating on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions and methods to induce, and/of modulate bio-electrical rhythms (e.g. in cardiac, neuronal and pancreatic cells) by fine-tuning the activity of HCN-encoded pacemaker channels via a novel protein- and genetic-engineering approach to augment or attenuate the associated physiological responses (e.g. heart beat, neuronal firing, insulin secretion, etc) for achieving various therapeutic purposes (e.g. sick sinus syndrome, epilepsy, neuropathic pain, diabetes, etc).

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing a biocompatible textured surface on a thermoplastic material comprising treating the material with a plasma and subsequently shrinking the substrate to induce formation of textures. The textured surfaces are useful in one aspect, to align cells such as stem cells.

Abstract: An isolated stem cell that has been modified to provide, enhance orcontain the functional characteristics of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). The isolated stem cells are modified in one or more of the following manners: by expressing a calcium channel protein; by expressing a calcium pump protein such as the sarcro/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) protein; by inhibiting or downregulating expression of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) protein; by expressing a calcium handling protein; by expressing a transverse (t)-tubule; and/or by expressing a transverse (t)-tubule biogenic protein. After the cell has been modified, it may be expanded to a substantially homogenous population of these cells or alternatively, differentiated to a more mature cell type. Compositions containing these cells and population of cells are also provided by this invention.

Abstract: Provided are devices and methods of preparing a population of cardiomyocytes by aligning undifferentiated pluripotent cells on a nanosacale textured surface.

Abstract: A coated substrate including a 1 to 3 mils thick coating layer has a Bayer abrasion resistance value of less than 1% Haze after 600 cycles. The coating layer includes a reaction product of a coating composition including a polyester diol, a di-isocyanate, and a fluorocarbon-based additive. A method of forming the coating layer on the substrate includes mixing reactants including a polyester diol, a di-isocyanate and a flurocarbon-based additive to form a polyurethane coating composition; depositing the polyurethane coating composition on the substrate; and curing the polyurethane coating composition to form an abrasion resistant coating on the substrate.

Abstract: Methods to prepare electrophysiology mature cells from immature cells are provided, without the need for genetic manipulation.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated stem cell that has been modified to provide, enhance or contain the functional characteristics of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). The isolated stem cells are modified in one or more of the following manners: by expressing a calcium channel protein; by expressing a calcium pump protein such as the sarcro/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) protein; by inhibiting or downregulating expression of the Na+/Ca+ exchanger (NCX) protein; by expressing a calcium handling protein; by expressing a transverse (t-tubule; and/or by expressing a transverse (t-tubule biogenic protein. After the cell has been modified, it may be expanded to a substantially homogenous population of these cells or alternatively, differentiated to a more mature cell type. Compositions containing these cells and population of cells are also provided by this invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for modulating electrical behavior of cardiac cells. Preferred methods include administering a polynucleotide or cell-based composition that can modulate cardiac contraction to desired levels, i.e., the administered composition functions as a biological pacemaker.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions and methods to induce, and/of modulate bio-electrical rhythms (e.g. in cardiac, neuronal and pancreatic cells) by fine-tuning the activity of HCN-encoded pacemaker channels via a novel protein- and genetic-engineering approach to augment or attenuate the associated physiological responses (e.g. heart beat, neuronal firing, insulin secretion, etc) for achieving various therapeutic purposes (e.g. sick sinus syndrome, epilepsy, neuropathic pain, diabetes, etc).