Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of a valve that may be opened and closed using a thixotropic or “stress yield” material, or other material that temporarily changes phase upon application of energy to the material. More particularly, some embodiments may include a valve that is opened and closed using a granular gel that is a temporary phase change material.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes biocompatible, nanocomposite hydrogel compositions and vaccines, where the compositions and vaccines include a biocompatible hydrogel material, a plurality of immune stimulating cytokines, such as CXCL9, and a plurality of nano liposomes loaded with mRNA molecules corresponding to a target antigen, such as for a condition to be treated. This disclosure also includes methods of making the biocompatible, nanocomposite hydrogel compositions and vaccines as well as methods of using the vaccines of the present disclosure to treat and/or prevent a disease in a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bioreactor system that allows perfusive flow through a porous support medium enabling 3D growth of biological samples. In some embodiments, the system comprises a sample well filled with a three-dimensional (3D) cell growth medium. The system can further comprises a liquid medium reservoir fluidly connected to the sample well by a first filter material. The system can further comprises a medium collection chamber fluidly connected to the sample well by a second filter material. The system can further comprise an absorbant material that creates an osmotic pressure gradient to produce perfusive flow. In some embodiments, osmotic pressure draws fluid from the liquid medium reservoir, through the first filter material, into the sample well where it permeates the three-dimensional cell growth medium, through the second filter material, and finally into the medium collection chamber.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for creating a three-dimensional tissue construct of a desired shape for repair or replacement of a portion of an organism. The method may comprise injecting at least one biomaterial in a three-dimensional pattern into a first material such that the at least one biomaterial is held in the desired shape of the tissue construct by the first material. The apparatus may comprise an injector configured to inject at least one biomaterial in a three-dimensional pattern into a first material such that the at least one biomaterial is held in the desired shape of the tissue construct by the first material. The first material may comprise a yield stress material, which may be a material exhibiting Herschel-Bulkley behavior. The tissue construct may have a smallest feature size of ten micrometers or less.

Abstract: An organic microgel system as support material for 3D printing of soft materials such as silicone and methods for manufacturing and using the organic microgel system are disclosed. In some embodiments, the organic microgel system comprises a plurality of microgel particles formed by blending a di-block copolymer and a tri-block copolymer in an organic solvent. The organic microgel system may allow high precision 3D printing of silicone objects with complex shapes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for lubricious structures (also referred to simply as “structure”), methods of making lubricious structures, methods of using lubricious structures, and the like.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for three-dimensionally printing. The method may comprise causing a phase change in a region of the first material by applying focused energy to the region using a focused energy source, and displacing the first material with a second material. The apparatus may comprise a container configured to hold a first material, a focused energy source configured to cause a phase change in a region of the first material by applying focused energy to the region, and an injector configured to displace the first material with a second material. The first material may comprise a yield stress material, which is a material exhibiting Herschel-Bulkley behavior. The yield stress material may comprise a soft granular gel. The second material may comprise one or more cells.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions, methods, kits, and systems relating to smooth, spherical microgels which can be charge-neutral. The microgels can be made using an emulsification process. In certain aspects, charge-neutral microgels as described herein are suitable for 3D cell culture, use in perfusion bioreactors, and/or 3D printing of cells for 3D cell culture.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for lubricious structures (also referred to simply as “structure”), methods of making lubricious structures, methods of using lubricious structures, and the like.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for constructing tissue replacements, such as bone replacements that may be used to repair damaged or missing segments of bone, such as may occur in wound repair or as a repair of a congenital anomaly. These methods involve a three-dimensional (3D) cell growth medium made from a yield stress material that allows cells and structures to be easily deposited and positioned.

Abstract: A three-dimensional cell growth medium is described. The cell growth medium may comprise hydrogel particles swollen with a liquid cell growth medium to form a granular gel yield stress material which undergoes a phase transformation from a solid phase to a liquid-like phase when an applied stress exceeds the yield stress. Cells may be placed in the three-dimensional cell growth medium according to any shape or geometry, and may remain in place within the three-dimensional cell growth medium.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods relating to three-dimensional (3D) cell manufacturing utilizing a 3D growth media. According to aspects of the present disclosure, pluralities of cells and ECM components can be printed into a bioreactor as a sheet. Sheets can be retrieved, digested, split, and re-printed, thereby expanding the number of cells in an efficient manner that conserves space in a tissue culture incubator, conserves bioreactor consumables, and consumes nutrients required for cell maintenance and growth.

Abstract: A three-dimensional cell growth medium is described. The cell growth medium may comprise hydrogel particles swollen with a liquid cell growth medium to form a granular gel yield stress material which undergoes a phase transformation from a solid phase to a liquid-like phase when an applied stress exceeds the yield stress. Cells may be placed in the three-dimensional cell growth medium according to any shape or geometry, and may remain in place within the three-dimensional cell growth medium.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an integrated assay system that can be used, for example, to monitor and screen cells in 3D culture. This system involves a 3D cell growth medium made from a yield stress material that allows cells to be deposited, e.g. by 3D printing, samples to be taken, and the extracellular environment manipulated.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods relating to cellular micro-masonry. Systems and methods as described herein allow a user to create three-dimensional (3D) structures of cells disposed in a 3D culture medium. Systems and methods as described herein provide for the manipulation and construction of cellular structures on a single, cell-by-cell, basis.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for constructing tissue replacements, such as bone replacements that may be used to repair damaged or missing segments of bone, such as may occur in wound repair or as a repair of a congenital anomaly. These methods involve a three-dimensional (3D) cell growth medium made from a yield stress material that allows cells and structures to be easily deposited and positioned.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for constructing tissue replacements, such as bone replacements that may be used to repair damaged or missing segments of bone, such as may occur in wound repair or as a repair of a congenital anomaly. These methods involve a three-dimensional (3D) cell growth medium made from a yield stress material that allows cells and structures to be easily deposited and positioned.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for three-dimensionally printing. The method may comprise causing a phase change in a region of the first material by applying focused energy to the region using a focused energy source, and displacing the first material with a second material. The apparatus may comprise a container configured to hold a first material, a focused energy source configured to cause a phase change in a region of the first material by applying focused energy to the region, and an injector configured to displace the first material with a second material. The first material may comprise a yield stress material, which is a material exhibiting Herschel-Bulkley behavior. The yield stress material may comprise a soft granular gel. The second material may comprise one or more cells.

Abstract: An organic microgel system as support material for 3D printing of soft materials such as silicone and methods for manufacturing and using the organic microgel system are disclosed. In some embodiments, the organic microgel system comprises a plurality of microgel particles formed by blending a di-block copolymer and a tri-block copolymer in an organic solvent. The organic microgel system may allow high precision 3D printing of silicone objects with complex shapes.

Abstract: An organic microgel system as support material for 3D printing of soft materials such as silicone and methods for manufacturing and using the organic microgel system are disclosed. In some embodiments, the organic microgel system comprises a plurality of microgel particles formed by blending a di-block copolymer and a tri-block copolymer in an organic solvent. The organic microgel system may allow high precision 3D printing of silicone objects with complex shapes.