Abstract: According to various embodiments, a microfluidic device may be provided. The microfluidic device may include: a plurality of valves connected to respective channels; a plurality of chambers, including a mixing chamber, a sample collection chamber, and a waste collection chamber; a binding member configured to bind biomolecules; and wherein flow of a liquid between the plurality of chambers is controlled by selectively opening and closing each valve of the plurality of valves to selectively allow air to be released from the channels connected to the respective valve.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a microfluidic device for gel electrophoresis is provided. The microfluidic device includes a sample channel configured to receive a sample; a stacking channel comprising a preloaded stacking reagent; and a separation channel comprising a preloaded separation reagent, wherein the preloaded stacking reagent has a physical characteristic different from that of the preloaded separation reagent; and wherein the sample channel, the stacking channel and the separation channel are in fluid communication with one another. According to further embodiments of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a microfluidic device for gel electrophoresis is also provided.

Abstract: We describe a method of obtaining a cell culture, the method comprising providing a cell obtained by dispersing a human embryonic stem cell (hESC) colony, or a descendent thereof, and propagating the cell in the absence of a feeder cell layer in a serum free medium comprising FGF2 and optionally PDGF AB. Preferably, the human embryonic stem cell (hESC) colony is dispersed with a dispersing agent which is trypsin.

Abstract: We describe a particle secreted by a mesenchymal stem cell and comprising at least one biological property of a mesenchymal stem cell. The biological property may comprise a biological activity of a mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium (MSC-CM) such as cardioprotection or reduction of infarct size. The particle may comprise a vesicle or an exosome.

Abstract: We disclose a method of preparing a conditioned cell culture medium, the method comprising the steps of: (a) culturing a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC), a descendent thereof or a cell line derived therefrom in a cell culture medium; and (b) optionally isolating the cell culture medium; in which the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) is obtained by propagating a cell obtained by dispersing a embryonic stem (ES) cell colony, or a descendent thereof, in the absence of co-culture in a serum free medium comprising FGF2.

Abstract: We describe a method of cell culture of an umbilical mesenchymal stem cell (MSC). The method comprises the steps of providing an umbilical mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) and culturing the umbilical mesenchymal stem cell in a cell culture medium under hypoxic conditions. The umbilical mesenchymal stem cell may be transformed with an oncogene such as c-myc. Conditioned media and exosomes obtained from the umbilical mesenchymal stem cell may be used for therapy.

Abstract: We disclose a method comprising: (a) providing an embryonic stem (ES) cell; and (b) establishing a progenitor cell line from the embryonic stem cell; in which the progenitor cell line is selected based on its ability to self-renew. Preferably, the method selects against somatic cells based on their inability to self-renew. Preferably, the progenitor cell line is derived or established in the absence of co-culture, preferably in the absence of feeder cells, which preferably selects against embryonic stem cells. Optionally, the method comprises (d) deriving a differentiated cell from the progenitor cell line.

Abstract: We disclose a method comprising: (a) providing an embryonic stem (ES) cell; and (b) establishing a progenitor cell line from the embryonic stem cell; in which the progenitor cell line is selected based on its ability to self-renew. Preferably, the method selects against somatic cells based on their inability to self-renew. Preferably, the progenitor cell line is derived or established in the absence of co-culture, preferably in the absence of feeder cells, which preferably selects against embryonic stem cells. Optionally, the method comprises (d) deriving a differentiated cell from the progenitor cell line.

Abstract: We disclose a method comprising: (a) providing an embryonic stem (ES) cell; and (b) establishing a progenitor cell line from the embryonic stem cell; in which the progenitor cell line is selected based on its ability to self-renew. Preferably, the method selects against somatic cells based on their inability to self-renew. Preferably, the progenitor cell line is derived or established in the absence of co-culture, preferably in the absence of feeder cells, which preferably selects against embryonic stem cells. Optionally, the method comprises (d) deriving a differentiated cell from the progenitor cell line.

Abstract: We describe the use of an exosome for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition to promote or enhance would healing or hair growth, or both, in an individual. The exosome may be derived from a stem cell such as a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC).

Abstract: We describe a method of monitoring the state of a cell, tissue, organ or organism. The method comprises establishing, for a sample of microparticles from the cell, tissue, organ or organism, a ratio. The ratio is of a selected polypeptide in microparticles which comprise GM1 gangliosides, preferably which bind to Cholera Toxin B (CTB) (“GM1 ganglioside microparticle polypeptide”) to the selected polypeptide in microparticles which comprise exposed phosphotidylserine, preferably which bind to Annexin V (“Annexin V microparticle polypeptide”). The GM1 ganglioside microparticle polypeptide to Annexin V microparticle polypeptide ratio so established may be indicative of the state of the cell, tissue, organ or organism.

Abstract: We disclose a method of preparing a conditioned cell culture medium, the method comprising the steps of: (a) culturing a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC), a descendent thereof or a cell line derived therefrom in a cell culture medium; and (b) optionally isolating the cell culture medium; in which the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) is obtained by propagating a cell obtained by dispersing a embryonic stem (ES) cell colony, or a descendent thereof, in the absence of co-culture in a serum free medium comprising FGF2.

Abstract: We describe a method of detecting a therapeutic exosome, the method comprising detecting an activity of an exosome. The activity may be selected from the group consisting of: (a) immunodulatory activity; (b) complement inhibition activity; (c) proteasome activity; (d) glycolytic enzyme activity; (e) anti-oxidative activity; (f) extracellular matrix (ECM) modifying activity; (g) NT5E (CD73) ecto-5?-ectonucleotidase activity; (h) ion homeostasis activity; and (i) chaperone activity. If the exosome is detected as having one or more such activities, the exosome is likely to comprise a therapeutic exosome having therapeutic activity.

Abstract: We describe a method of purifying a mesenchymal stem cell particle such as an exosome, the method comprising separating the mesenchymal stem cell particle on the basis of its negative charge. The method may comprise (a) providing a composition comprising mesenchymal stem cell particles such as a mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium (MSC-CM); (b) applying the composition comprising mesenchymal stem cell particles to an ion exchange resin to enable mesenchymal stem cell particles to bind to the ion exchange resin; and (c) eluting bound mesenchymal stem cell particles. The ion exchange resin may comprise an anion exchange resin such as an anion exchange spin column.

Abstract: We describe a method of monitoring the state of a cell, the method comprising establishing, for a selected microRNA (miRNA) species secreted by the cell, a ratio of: (a) a precursor form of the miRNA species (pre-miRNA); to (b) a mature form of the miRNA species (mature miRNA); in which the pre- to mature miRNA ratio so established is indicative of the state of the cell. We also describe a method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC); and (b) introducing an oncogene into the mesenchymal stem cell to thereby transform it; in which the transformed mesenchymal stem cell does not secrete a gene product of the oncogene into a medium in which it is grown.

Abstract: We describe an pre-natal mesenchymal stem cell obtainable from a pre-natal tissue such as a foetal tissue, a descendent of such a mesenchymal stem cell, a cell culture or a cell line comprising either. The pre-natal mesenchymal stem cell, cell culture or cell line may comprise a cell line F1Ib, F2lb, F3lb, F1ki or F3li. We further describe a conditioned medium conditioned by such a pre-natal mesenchymal stem cell, cell culture or cell line. These may comprise cardioprotective activity, and may in particular be used to treat or prevent a range of cardiac disorders of diseases.

Abstract: We disclose a method comprising: (a) providing an embryonic stem (ES) cell; and (b) establishing a progenitor cell line from the embryonic stem cell; in which the progenitor cell line is selected based on its ability to self-renew. Preferably, the method selects against somatic cells based on their inability to self-renew. Preferably, the progenitor cell line is derived or established in the absence of co-culture, preferably in the absence of feeder cells, which preferably selects against embryonic stem cells. Optionally, the method comprises (d) deriving a differentiated cell from the progenitor cell line.

Abstract: We disclose a method comprising: (a) providing an embryonic stem (ES) cell; and (b) establishing a progenitor cell line from the embryonic stem cell; in which the progenitor cell line is selected based on its ability to self-renew. Preferably, the method selects against somatic cells based on their inability to self-renew. Preferably, the progenitor cell line is derived or established in the absence of co-culture, preferably in the absence of feeder cells, which preferably selects against embryonic stem cells. Optionally, the method comprises (d) deriving a differentiated cell from the progenitor cell line.

Abstract: We describe a particle secreted by a mesenchymal stem cell and comprising at least one biological property of a mesenchymal stem cell. The biological property may comprise a biological activity of a mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium (MSC-CM) such as cardioprotection or reduction of infarct size. The particle may comprise a vesicle or an exosome.

Abstract: We disclose a method of preparing a conditioned cell culture medium, the method comprising the steps of: (a) culturing a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC), a descendent thereof or a cell line derived therefrom in a cell culture medium; and (b) optionally isolating the cell culture medium; in which the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) is obtained by propagating a cell obtained by dispersing a embryonic stem (ES) cell colony, or a descendent thereof, in the absence of co-culture in a serum free medium comprising FGF2.