Abstract: Methods for covalently binding a silicone polymer to hair or nails using UV light, a catalyst, a reactive solution, and compositions related thereto. The methods can include synthesizing a photo-reactive silicone and bonding the photo-reactive silicone polymer to hair, nails, or keratin. The methods can also include applying a vinyl-containing silicone polymer and a catalyst, or an aldehyde functionalized silicone polymer and reactive composition, to covalently bond the silicone polymer to hair, nails, or keratin. An advantage of covalently bonding silicone polymer to hair or nails can be that the silicone polymer add strengthens and shine to hair and nails, but are more resistant to washings with soap and shampoo than non-covalently bound silicone polymers.

Abstract: An organotypic slice and a method of preparing an organotypic slice from a central nervous system tissue, wherein the organotypic slice comprises a brain slice obtained from a brain wherein mature synapses have not been established and the organotypic slice is seeded with a population of stem cells; wherein the organotypic slice has enhanced viability as compared to an organotypic slice comprising a similar brain slice not seeded with a population of stem cells.