Abstract: Methods of treating spinal cord injuries are disclosed. The method comprises implanting scaffolds comprising a protruding scaffold and a supporting scaffold, wherein at least a portion of the protruding scaffold is inserted into a lesioned area of the spinal cord so as to contact the injury or diseased site, wherein the supporting scaffold does not protrude into the injury or diseased site and is in contact with the rostral and/or caudal dura of the spinal cord.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition including a poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) and polylactic-co-glycolic-acid (PLGA) scaffold on which neuronal tissue is grown ex-vivo. Furthermore, the invention provides a method for making ex-vivo cellular vasculature networks, and a method for treating a neuronal injury in a subject by implanting the current composition.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a platform with a microstructure. The microstructure include a primary channel and a plurality of chambers that open to the primary channel to enable a sample fluid that is loaded into the device via the primary channel to flow into the chambers. Each chamber has a volume that is less than tens of nanoliters and is connected by a vent to a secondary channel of the microstructure. A width of the vent is configured to enable a gas to escape from the chamber to the secondary channel while inhibiting flow of the sample fluid from the chamber into the secondary channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an implant which includes: (a) an autologous engineered tissue; and (b) a vasculature, wherein the engineered tissue is a porous scaffold embedded with endothelial cell, a fibroblast, a myoblast, a mesenchymal cell, an adipocyte, or any combination thereof, wherein the vasculature feeds the cells. Further, the invention provides a method for treating a subject afflicted with a large soft tissue defect by implanting the implant of the invention.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a platform with a microstructure. The microstructure include a primary channel and a plurality of chambers that open to the primary channel to enable a sample fluid that is loaded into the device via the primary channel to flow into the chambers. Each chamber has a volume that is less than tens of nanoliters and is connected by a vent to a secondary channel of the microstructure. A width of the vent is configured to enable a gas to escape from the chamber to the secondary channel while inhibiting flow of the sample fluid from the chamber into the secondary channel.

Abstract: An isolated composition of matter is provided comprising a heterogeneous population of cells seeded on a surface of a scaffold, wherein the heterogeneous population of cells comprises at least one pancreatic islet, endothelial cells and fibroblast cells. Methods of generating same and uses thereof are also provided.

Abstract: A three-dimensional fibrin engineered tissue construct is provided selected from: (i) a fibrin gel matrix comprising a combination of tissue-specific cells and at least one type of vascular cells; and (ii) a hybrid scaffold of fibrin gel and a polymeric synthetic scaffold comprising at least one type of vascular cells or a combination of tissue-specific cells and at least one type of vascular cells.

Abstract: A macroporous hydrogel sponge is provided selected from: (i) a synthetic polymer hydrogel sponge, and (ii) a synthetic polymer-polypeptide conjugate hydrogel sponge, the macroporous hydrogel sponge being at least 20% porous and having a pore diameter of 50-1000 ?m, wherein said synthetic polymer is crosslinked to an extent determined by effecting the crosslinkig of the synthetic polymer or synthetic polymer-polypeptide conjugate in the presence of at least about 30% by weight crosslinking agent.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a nonwoven structure is disclosed. The method comprises: forming a nonwoven layer of polymer fibers on the collector liquid surface, transferring the layer to a solid surface, and repeating the formation and the transfer in a layerwise manner. The method is generally effected by spinning liquefied polymer, in particular by employing electrostatic or hydrostatic forces. The nonwoven structure formed comprises of plurality of nonwoven layers: the average thickness of the nonwoven structure is at least 0.5 mm and the structure has an overall porosity of at least 90%. The nonwoven structure an be used in forming a scaffold for tissue engineering, in particular a cell-scaffold composition, suitable for implanting in a patient, wherein at least one cell population is seeded on at least one of the plurality of layers.

Abstract: An isolated composition of matter is provided comprising a heterogeneous population of cells seeded on a surface of a scaffold, wherein the heterogeneous population of cells comprises at least one pancreatic islet, endothelial cells and fibroblast cells. Methods of generating same and uses thereof are also provided.

Abstract: A microfluidic system is disclosed. The microfluidic system comprises a microchannel having in fluid communication with a fluid inlet for receiving a first fluid. The microfluidic system can further comprise a piezoelectric actuator which controls the flow of the first fluid in the microchannel by selectively applying external pressure on the wall of the microchannel.

Abstract: An isolated composition of matter is disclosed. The composition comprises a heterogeneous population of cells seeded on a scaffold, wherein the heterogeneous population of cells comprises cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells and fibroblast cells. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising same and uses thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tissue engineered construct. The construct includes endothelial cells, muscle cells, and a three-dimensional support matrix on which the endothelial cells and the myoblasts are seeded.

Abstract: A population of embryonic epithelial cells produced in vitro from embryonic stem cells. In one embodiment, at least 45% of the cells express cytokeratin, for example, cytokeratin-7.

Abstract: A method of producing a tissue engineering construct. The method includes providing a population of embryonic stem cells, seeding the embryonic stem cells on a cell support matrix, and exposing the embryonic stem cells to at least one agent selected to promote differentiation of the stem cells along a predetermined cell lineage or into a specific cell type. The step of exposing may be performed before or after the step of seeding.

Abstract: A method of screening cell-polymer interactions. The method includes depositing monomers as a plurality of discrete elements on a substrate, causing the deposited monomers to polymerize, thereby creating an array of discrete polymer elements on the substrate, incubating the substrate in a cell-containing culture medium, and characterizing a predetermined cell behavior on each polymer element.

Abstract: The invention is a population of embryonic endothelial cells produced in vitro from human embryonic stem cells. The cells produce platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 and are vasculogenic. The cells may be combined with a cell support substrate, seeded on a polymer matrix, or combined with a cell-support substrate that is infused into a polymer matrix. The cells may also be injected directly into a tissue site.