Abstract: Provided is a microarray platform for the culture of cells atop combinatorial matrix mixtures; enabling the study of differentiation in response to a multitude of microenvironments in parallel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and products associated with in vivo enzyme profiling. In particular, the invention relates to methods of in vivo processing of exogenous molecules followed by detection of signature molecules as representative of the presence of active enzymes associated with diseases or conditions. The invention also relates to products, kits, and databases for use in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods to stabilize and/or improve the function of parenchymal cells. Also provided are systems of co-cultures of hepatocyte-stabilizing non-parenchymal cells used in bioreactor microenvironments to identify hepatic stabilizing factors by gene-expression profiling.

Abstract: The present invention provides arrays comprising polypeptides associated with extracellular matrix that can be used to isolate, differentiate, or culture certain cell types including stem cells, cancer cells, and/or primary hepatocytes. The array comprises at least a pair of polypeptides that comprise a polypeptide associated with extracellular matrix or functional fragments thereof. The invention also provides for methods of diagnosing and/or prognosing a certain disease or disorder through contacting a cell sample from a patient with an array comprising at least a pair of polypeptides that comprise a polypeptide sequence associated with extracellular matrix or functional fragments thereof.

Abstract: The present invention uses externally applied electromagnetic stimulus to control and heat porous magnetic particles and material associated with the particles. The particles contain magnetic material, such as superparamagnetic iron oxide and are infused with a material. Application of a DC magnetic field allows them to be moved with their infused material, and application of an AC RF electromagnetic field allows them to be heated with their infused material. The material can be infused into pores of the particles and the particles can also adhere to an aqueous droplet. The present invention also provides a multi-layer porous magnetic particle. The particle includes a host layer having pores sized to accept magnetic nanoparticles. Magnetic nanoparticles are infused within pores of the host layer. An encoding layer includes pores that define a spectral code. The pores in the encoding layer are sized to substantially exclude the magnetic nanoparticles.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for assessing DNA damage and repair in cells by measuring DNA migration under electrophoresis. In one exemplary embodiment, a microarray configured to hold cells in a predetermined spatial relationship is employed to improve accuracy, speed, and reliability of such measurements. In another embodiment, a self-contained cassette having a matrix material disposed therein can be used to create a substantially uniform environment for analyzing DNA damage and repair. Fluid can be circulated through the cell to assist in creating spatial patterns on the matrix material, or alternatively, the matrix material can already include a microarray pattern disposed thereon. Various methods and systems that take advantage of such microarrays and cassettes are also provided.

Abstract: Engineered human tissue constructs are provided that are suitable for use in making humanized animals for use in pharmaceutical development. Humanized animals having the constructs implanted in vivo are provided. Methods of making and using the tissue-engineered constructs and humanized animals are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a long-circulating, micellar hybrid nanoparticles (MHN) that contain MN, QD, and the anti-cancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) within a single polyethylene glycol (PEG)-phospholipid micelle and provide the first examples of simultaneous targeted drug delivery and dual-mode NIR-fluorescent and MR imaging of diseased tissue in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: Cell cultures are provided that include a population of micropatterened hepatocytes and one or more non-parenchymal cell populations, where the hepatocytes are infected with a virus or parasite and include a reporter of virus or parasite infection. Methods of making and using the cell cultures are also provided.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide compositions and methods for delivering nucleic acids to target cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems that can be used for treatment and/or diagnosis. In one aspect, the present invention involves systems and methods for activating a biological cascade in a subject, and administering, to the subject, a composition or a component comprising an agent able to bind a product of a biological cascade or otherwise interact with the biological cascade. The biological cascade may be, for example, a coagulation cascade, a complement cascade, an inflammation cascade, or the like. In some cases, the concentration of a protein, the metabolic demand for a substrate, or the like may be increased as a result of activation of the biological cascade. As a specific non-limiting example, in one set of embodiments, the biological cascade may be a coagulation cascade and the composition administered to the subject may include a fibrin-binding peptide and an antitumor species. By activating the biological cascade, e.g.

Abstract: The disclosure provides elongated nanostructures useful for biological imaging and measurement. More particularly the disclosure provides nanoworms having an increased bioavailability compared to nanospheres.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and products associated with in vivo enzyme profiling. In particular, the invention relates to methods of in vivo processing of exogenous molecules followed by detection of signature molecules as representative of the presence of active enzymes associated with diseases or conditions. The invention also relates to products, kits, and databases for use in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a microfluidic device which recreates important features of the human microcirculation on a microscope stage. In certain embodiments of the invention, the clinical scenario associated with ‘sickle cell crisis’ whereby blood vessels are occluded in various organs causing pain and tissue damage can be recreated. In certain embodiments, one can use a device of the invention to study the processes that lead to crisis, and screen therapies (such as small molecules) that might be used to prevent crisis. Further, certain embodiments of the invention allow one to study and screen therapies for a range of human blood disorders, such as hereditary spherocytosis, disorders of white blood cells, such as Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia or leukocytosis, disorders of blood platelets and coagulation, such as hemophilia A and B, activated protein C resistance, and essential thrombocythemia.

Abstract: The development and function of living tissues depends largely on interactions between cells that can vary in both time and space; however, temporal control of cell-cell interaction is experimentally challenging. By employing a micromachined silicon substrate with moving parts, herein is disclosed the dynamic regulation of cell-cell interactions via direct manipulation of adherent cells with micron-scale precision. The inventive devices and methods allow mechanical control of both tissue composition and spatial organization. The inventive device and methods enable the investigation of dynamic cell-cell interaction in a multitude of applications, such as intercellular communication, spanning embryogenesis, homeostasis, and pathogenic processes.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for tracking or monitoring uptake of siRNA by mammalian cells are provided. The methods and compositions may be used to monitoring the silencing activity of the internalized siRNA. The compositions contain an siRNA, an optically or magnetically detectable nanoparticle such as a quantum dot and, optionally, a transfection reagent. Cells are contacted with an siRNA and an optically or magnetically detectable nanoparticle, optionally in the presence of a transfection reagent. Detection of internalized nanoparticles is indicative of siRNA uptake. The invention allows analysis, identification, processing, etc., of cells that have efficiently taken up siRNA. In one embodiment, cells are sorted into at least two populations based on the amount of siRNA taken up.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for assessing DNA damage and repair in cells by measuring DNA migration under electrophoresis. In one exemplary embodiment, a microarray configured to hold cells in a predetermined spatial relationship is employed to improve accuracy, speed, and reliability of such measurements. In another embodiment, a self-contained cassette having a matrix material disposed therein can be used to create a substantially uniform environment for analyzing DNA damage and repair. Fluid can be circulated through the cell to assist in creating spatial patterns on the matrix material, or alternatively, the matrix material can already include a microarray pattern disposed thereon. Various methods and systems that take advantage of such microarrays and cassettes are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides triggered self-assembly nanosystems. Such nanosystems comprise a population of triggered self-assembly conjugates, each conjugate comprising one or more monomeric units and one or more complementary binding moieties. In some embodiments, inventive nanosystems and conjugates can be used to treat and/or diagnose a disease, disorder, and/or condition.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods to stabilize and/or improve the function of parenchymal cells. Also provided are systems of co-cultures of hepatocyte-stabilizing non-parenchymal cells used in bioreactor microenvironments to identify hepatic stabilizing factors by gene-expression profiling.

Abstract: The present invention uses externally applied electromagnetic stimulus to control and heat porous magnetic particles and material associated with the particles. The particles contain magnetic material, such as superparamagnetic iron oxide and are associated with a material. Application of a DC magnetic field allows them to be moved with their associated material, and application of an AC RF electromagnetic field allows them to be heated with their associated material. The material can be associated with the particles by being contained in the pores of the particles, or in other cases the particles can adhere to the associated material, which can be an aqueous droplet. The present invention also provides a multi-layer porous magnetic particle. The particle includes a host layer having pores sized to accept magnetic nanoparticles. Magnetic nanoparticles are infused within pores of the host layer An encoding layer includes pores that define a spectral code.