Abstract: A method for handling, in a microfluidic system, microdrops which include samples, including the steps of forming, in an oil, microdrops of an aqueous solution containing a sample, the oil and/or the aqueous solution containing a sample including a gelling agent; trapping the microdrops by means of surface-tension traps pre-arranged in a trapping area; and at least partially gelling the oil in the trapping area and/or at least partially gelling the trapped microdrops.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to acellular extracellular matrix (ECM) and methods for preparing it. In one embodiment, the ECM is prepared from 3-D aggregates of pluripotent stem cells or from embryoid bodies. In one embodiment, the ECM is in the form of acellular microspheres. The stem cells used in the present invention can be embryonic stem cells (ESC). In a specific embodiment, the stem cells or embryoid bodies are from human. The ECM of the invention can be mass produced using PSC aggregates or embryoid bodies in large scale bioreactors. The acellular ECM produced using the present invention can be used for injection into a person or animal to regenerate tissue and/or treat a disease or condition. A method of the invention comprises growing stem cells in suspension culture as aggregates, e.g., in a bioreactor. Acellular ECM is then prepared from the cell aggregates by decellularization.

Abstract: A method for handling, in a microfluidic system, microdrops which include samples, including the steps of forming, in an oil, microdrops of an aqueous solution containing a sample, the oil and/or the aqueous solution containing a sample including a gelling agent; trapping the microdrops by means of surface-tension traps pre-arranged in a trapping area; and at least partially gelling the oil in the trapping area and/or at least partially gelling the trapped microdrops.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to acellular extracellular matrix (ECM) and methods for preparing it. In one embodiment, the ECM is prepared from 3-D aggregates of pluripotent stem cells or from embryoid bodies. In one embodiment, the ECM is in the form of acellular microspheres. The stem cells used in the present invention can be embryonic stem cells (ESC). In a specific embodiment, the stem cells or embryoid bodies are from human. The ECM of the invention can be mass produced using PSC aggregates or embryoid bodies in large scale bioreactors. The acellular ECM produced using the present invention can be used for injection into a person or animal to regenerate tissue and/or treat a disease or condition. A method of the invention comprises growing stem cells in suspension culture as aggregates, e.g., in a bioreactor. Acellular ECM is then prepared from the cell aggregates by decellularization.