Abstract: Provided are methods, pharmaceutical compositions, and kits for treatment of a metabolic condition, including obesity and type 2 diabetes by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a cell or tissue preparation such as brown adipose microtissues to a subject, where the microtissues comprise adipose stem cells and endothelial cells. Modified approaches to creating brown adipose tissue involve differentiation of explanted white adipose tissue rather than isolation and expansion of adipose stems cells or endothelial cells and formation and differentiation of 3D cell aggregates.

Abstract: Provided are methods, pharmaceutical compositions, and kits for treatment of a metabolic condition, including obesity and type 2 diabetes by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a cell or tissue preparation such as brown adipose microtissues to a subject, where the microtissues comprise adipose stem cells and endothelial cells. Modified approaches to creating brown adipose tissue involve differentiation of explanted white adipose tissue rather than isolation and expansion of adipose stems cells or endothelial cells and formation and differentiation of 3D cell aggregates.

Abstract: Techniques comprising systems and methods for forming or pattering microstructures using microfluidics are described. A target structure can include a microchannel passage with a chamber into which a light hardenable material can be injected and selectively exposed to light to adhere to a desired location of a substrate. Unhardened material can be washed out of the chamber. One or more subsequent cycles can repeat the process using the same or a different material. A variety of composite microstructures can be created, including structures encapsulating viable living cells, such as for cell study or tissue engineering.

Abstract: Techniques comprising systems and methods for forming or pattering microstructures using microfluidics are described. A target structure can include a microchannel passage with a chamber into which a light hardenable material can be injected and selectively exposed to light to adhere to a desired location of a substrate. Unhardened material can be washed out of the chamber. One or more subsequent cycles can repeat the process using the same or a different material. A variety of composite microstructures can be created, including structures encapsulating viable living cells, such as for cell study or tissue engineering.

Abstract: Techniques comprising systems and methods for forming or pattering microstructures using microfluidics are described. A target structure can include a microchannel passage with a chamber into which a light hardenable material can be injected and selectively exposed to light to adhere to a desired location of a substrate. Unhardened material can be washed out of the chamber. One or more subsequent cycles can repeat the process using the same or a different material. A variety of composite microstructures can be created, including structures encapsulating viable living cells, such as for cell study or tissue engineering.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering one or more fluids. Fluids may be delivered sequentially from a common vessel to a chemical, biological or biochemical process.

Abstract: An assay method is described, which comprises the steps of immobilizing a binding partner (e.g., an antigen or antibody) for an analyte to be detected (e.g., an antibody or antigen) on a portion (140) of a surface (130) of a microfluidic chamber (120,122,124); passing a fluid sample over the surface and allowing the analyte to bind to the binding partner; allowing a metal colloid, e.g., a gold-conjugated antibody, to associate with the bound analyte; flowing a metal solution, e.g., a silver solution, over the surface such as to form an opaque metallic layer; and detecting the presence of said metallic layer, e.g., by visual inspection or by measuring light transmission through the layer, conductivity or resistance of the layer, or metal concentration in the metal solution after flowing the metal solution over the surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a series of methods, compositions, and articles for patterning a surface with multiple, aligned layers of molecules, by exposing the molecules to electromagnetic radiation. In certain embodiments, a single photomask acts as an area-selective filter for light at multiple wavelengths. A single set of exposures of multiple wavelengths through this photomask may make it possible to fabricate a pattern comprising discontinuous multiple regions, where the regions differ from each other in at least one chemical and/or physical property, without acts of alignment between the exposures. In certain embodiments, the surface includes molecules attached thereto that can be photocleaved upon exposure to a certain wavelength of radiation, thereby altering the chemical composition on at least a portion of the surface. In some embodiments, the molecules attached to the surface may include thiol moieties (e.g., as in alkanethiol), by which the molecule can become attached to the surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a series of methods, compositions, and articles for patterning a surface with multiple, aligned layers of molecules, by exposing the molecules to electromagnetic radiation. In certain embodiments, a single photomask acts as an area-selective filter for light at multiple wavelengths. A single set of exposures of multiple wavelengths through this photomask may make it possible to fabricate a pattern comprising discontinuous multiple regions, where the regions differ from each other in at least one chemical and/or physical property, without acts of alignment between the exposures. In certain embodiments, the surface includes molecules attached thereto that can be photocleaved upon exposure to a certain wavelength of radiation, thereby altering the chemical composition on at least a portion of the surface. In some embodiments, the molecules attached to the surface may include thiol moieties (e.g., as in alkanethiol), by which the molecule can become attached to the surface.