Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a tissue implant for implantation. The method includes harvesting a tissue material from a human or an animal donor, treating the tissue material in a nuclease-containing solution, and thereafter treating the tissue material with an alkaline alcohol solution. The nuclease-containing solution includes an antimicrobial. The alkaline alcohol solution comprises sodium hydroxide and ethanol.

Abstract: Provided herein is a placental product comprising an immunocompatible chorionic membrane. Such placental products can be cryopreserved and contain viable therapeutic cells after thawing. The placental product of the present invention is useful in treating a patient with a tissue injury (e.g. wound or burn) by applying the placental product to the injury. Similar application is useful with ligament and tendon repair and for engraftment procedures such as bone engraftment.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for preparing, storing, shipping and using skin equivalents made by organotypic culture. In particular, the present invention relates to systems and methods for cryopreserving viable skin substitutes.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method of producing a natural, acellular matrix scaffold for subsequent use in tissue-engineered replacement of tissues such as the bladder. Decellularization is carried out on an expanded or distended bladder and the product retains the strength and compliance of natural material. The invention also provides use of the matrix scaffolds as wound healing material and to investigate tissue structure and function in vitro.

Abstract: A composition for cryopreservation of cells and tissues of human and other animals in a safe manner without using toxic substances such as DMSO, as well as for freeze preserving or freeze-drying of foods and pharmaceuticals. In embodiments, ?-poly-L-lysine is reacted with succinic anhydride so that 60% or more of amino groups are blocked; and, thus obtained polymer compound is added to Dulbecco-modified eagle MEM culture medium (DMEM) on market sale to form a cryopreservation liquid. In embodiments for foods or pharmaceuticals, the ?-poly-L-lysine derivative was added by 0.5-10 wt % to curb freeze concentration.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of preventing or reducing the growth of crystals in a substance which is susceptible to crystal growth in which colloidal particles having an amphiphilic structure, e.g. Janus particles, are contacted with the substance. Colloidal particles suitable for use in the invention include cross-linked, colloidal materials formed from hydrophobic monomers such as acrylates or methacrylates and hydrophilic monomers such as those derived from acrylic and/or methacrylic acid. The colloidal particles find particular use in methods of cryopreservation of biological samples (e.g. cells, tissues or organs), as a texture modifier in frozen food products, in the inhibition of gas hydrate formation, and as scale inhibitors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for cryopreserving cells and tissues under clinical conditions, allowing production of viable cell products suitable for transplantation.

Abstract: A method of preserving functionality of an organ is disclosed herein, including removing a whole organ including vasculature from a donor, cryo-preserving the whole organ including vasculature, thawing the whole organ including vasculature so that at least a portion of cells contained therein resume biological activity, and introducing the whole organ including vasculature into a recipient so that a blood vessel in the vasculature is supplied with blood. Further disclosed herein is a method of preserving fertility of a patient undergoing a treatment expected to cause sterility, including removing at least one whole gonadal organ including vasculature from the patient, preserving functionality of the gonadal organ as described herein, conducting the treatment and waiting for an effect thereof to subside, and introducing the gonadal organ into the patient.

Abstract: Provided herein is a placental product comprising an immunocompatible amniotic membrane. Such placental products can be cryopreserved and contain viable therapeutic cells after thawing. The placental product of the present invention is useful in treating a patient with a tissue injury (e.g. wound or burn) by applying the placental product to the injury. Similar application is useful with ligament and tendon repair and for engraftment procedures such as bone engraftment.

Abstract: This disclosure provides solutions, systems, and methods for cell, tissue, and/or organ preservation. Some preservation solutions may include any combination of a balanced salt solution, electrolytes, antibiotic agents, antimycotic agents, protease inhibitors, anti-oxidants, simple sugars, starches impermeant ions, uric acid and/or amino acids. Some preservation solutions may also include hydrolyzed collagen. The preservation solutions including hydrolyzed collagen may be used alone or as part of a kit to preserve cells, tissue, or organs. The solution may also be used in connection with one or more medical procedures, for example organ transplantation.

Abstract: A method of preserving an umbilical cord is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a segment of an umbilical cord; mincing the segment of the umbilical cord into cord tissue pieces; admixing the cord tissue pieces with a cryogenic composition comprising a cryoprotectant and a protein to form a mixture; shaking the mixture for a duration of no shorter than 20 minutes and no longer than 40 minutes; and cryopreserving the mixture.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the cryopreservation of human organs and tissues. In certain embodiments, Step 1 comprises perfusion with a vitrifiable cryoprotectant solution at a temperature above ?10° C. for a time insufficient for the approximate osmotic equilibration of the organ with the solution, followed by cooling the organ to below ?10° C. by perfusion with said solution at a reduced temperature. In certain embodiments, Step 2 comprises increasing the concentration of cryoprotectant further at a temperature from ?10 to ?40° C. In certain embodiments, Step 3 comprises cooling and vitrifying the organ, rewarming it, and perfusing the organ with a vitrifiable concentration of cryoprotectant whose temperature is either raised gradually or is held at ??15° C. Compositions are provided that allow safe organ perfusion with vitrifiable media at >?10° C. and almost complete avoidance of chilling injury at ?20 to ?25° C. and that allow slow warming after vitrification without freezing.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods and compositions to determine viability of an organ for transplantation and other medical purposes. One aspect of the invention relates to a method for assessing the viability of an organ by measuring the energy parameters to determine the energy level of the organ by determining the stored cellular energy (e.g., ATP levels), and/or energy consumption over a particular time period of viability. The energy parameters can be compared to reference energy parameters as a highly accurate and reliable prediction of viable cell yield, and organ viability. Another aspect of the invention relates methods to preserve or extend the time period of viability of an organ any combination of (i) preservation perfusion of the organ to prevent ischemic damage, (ii) chemical metabolic suppression of the organ e.g., using metabolic suppressants, (iii) metabolic suppression by physical or environmental conditions, e.g., sub-zero non-freezing storage.

Abstract: This disclosure presents methodologies for processing, cryogenic storage, retrieval and preparation of a tissue for transplantation. As such, the methods provide a system by which tissue for transplantation can be reliably and safely processed and stored for an extended period of time until the tissue is desired to be used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for avoiding fracturing, e.g., thermo-mechanical fracturing, in vitrified biological systems via rapid cooling and/or warming persufflation techniques, by reducing the domain size of fracturing and by reducing thermal gradients. Also disclosed is a system adapted to rapidly cool and warm vitrifiable vascular biological tissue by persufflation, significantly reducing cryoprotectant toxicity from that of surface cooled tissue, in which the system is constructed and configured to use one or more of helium gas, hydrogen gas, neon gas, argon gas, krypton gas, xenon gas, oxygen gas, or various gaseous compounds. The system can be operated under pressure to increase the density and heat capacity of the gas relative to its density and heat capacity at atmospheric pressure and to cool the gas by one or more of mechanical action and by the phase change of a material such as a cryogenic gas or solid.

Abstract: Methods of isolating cellular products, such as pancreatic islets, may be used in diabetes research and therapeutic transplantation. The methods may involve providing a tissue having desired cells that are less prone to destructive freezing and undesired cells that are more prone to destructive freezing, or pre-treating a tissue to have such characteristics. The methods may involve freezing the tissue, disrupting the tissue, warming the tissue, and separating the desired cells from undesired cellular material to obtain the cellular product. The methods may thereby provide an enzyme-free or reduced-enzyme method of isolating a cellular product that is more consistent, reliable and less toxic than conventional methods. The methods may also yield an optimum quantity of cellular product that retain sufficient functional integrity to be useful as a transplantation resource.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in certain instances, are tissue grafts derived from UCAM. Further disclosed herein, in certain instances, are use for tissue grafts derived from UCAM.

Abstract: A method of preserving functionality of an organ. The method includes removing a whole organ and associated vasculature, cryo-preserving the whole organ, allowing a period of time to elapse, thawing the whole organ including vasculature and introducing the whole organ into a recipient so that the organ is supplied with blood by vasculature belonging to the recipient. Further disclosed is a method of preserving fertility of a patient undergoing a treatment expected to cause sterility. The method include removing a whole gonadal organ from the patient, cryo-preserving the whole gonadal organ, conducting the treatment and waiting for an effect thereof to subside, thawing the whole gonadal organ and introducing the whole gonadal organ where it is supplied with blood by the vasculature system of the patient.

Abstract: A device is provided for securing a tissue sample from biological material. The tissue sample is housed in bottom and top platens that are configured to promote fluid communication between the tissue sample and the exterior environment to permit transport or cryogenic fluid to contact the sample. Additionally, diskette assemblies may be provided within the platens that permit sub-samples to be separated without directly handling the tissue sample. The diskette assemblies may also be configured to promote fluid communication with the sub-sample housed therein.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the use of culture media containing thyroid hormones or analogs thereof, and includes methods and uses thereof for embryo culture, embryo production, embryo maturation, improved survival of embryos and improved viability of embryos post cryopreservation.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a tissue implant for implantation. The method includes treating a pericardium tissue material, which has been harvested from a donor and rendered essentially acellular, with a chlorine dioxide treatment solution; and thereafter treating the pericardium tissue material with an antioxidant solution, which comprises ascorbic acid or a salt thereof.

Abstract: A bone implant comprising cancellous bone that is essentially free of blood cells, and which has been treated with at least a loosening agent, such as collagenase and/or a digestive enzyme, for a time and at a concentration to loosen the osteogenic cells in the cancellous bone matrix. The osteogenic cells in the matrix are viable cells. The treatment of the cancellous bone with at least one loosening agent enables the osteogenic cells to be more available for carrying our their osteogenic function and to provide for an increased rate of bone formation.

Abstract: An apparatus for micromanipulation of biological material, includes a vessel (1) having a reservoir (2) wherein the vessel has a channel (3) formed in a portion of the reservoir, the channel including an intermediate restriction (4) dimensioned to resist passage of the biological material but allow passage of liquid treatment solutions.

Abstract: A method of preserving haptenized tumor cells is described. The method employs a freezing medium containing an effective amount of sucrose and human serum albumin in an isotonic buffered saline solution. Cryogenically preserving haptenized cells in such a medium has been found to maintain the integrity of the tumor cells during storage. The haptenized tumor cells also retain cell-associated antigens and haptens, and are as immunogenic, i.e., capable of inducing immunotherapeutic response, as fresh vaccine in a mouse model of metastatic disease. In a specific embodiment, haptenized cells are exposed to a solution of 8% sucrose, 10% human serum albumin in Hank's buffered solution, and then frozen to ?80° C. overnight and then stored in a liquid nitrogen freezer. Methods of storing haptenized tumor cells and compositions are also provided.

Abstract: The invention concerns a gem-difluorinated C-glycopeptide compound of formula (I) in which N is an integer between 1 and 5, R4=H, AA1, AA1-AA2 and R5=OH, AA1, AA1, AA2, with AA1, and AA2 are independents groups and represent amino acids with a non-functionalized side chain and R1, R2, R3 are independent groups and one of them is equal to formula (II), in which n is an integer between 3 and 4, Y, Y? are independent groups in which Y, Y?=H, OR, N3, NR?R?, SR??, where R=H, benzyl, trimethylsilyl, tert-butyldimethylsilyl, tert-butyldiphenylsilyl, acetate group, R?, R???H, alkyl, allyl, benzyl, tosylate group, C(?O)-alkyl, C(?O)?Bn, R??=H, alkyl, acetate group, R6 is notably a group H, CH3, CH2OH, CH2-Glycoside group, CH2-OGP in which GP is a protector group such as an alkyl, benzyl, trimethylsilyl, tert-butyldimethylsilyl, tertbutyldiphenylsilyl, acetate group,; and R7=OH, OGP?, NH2, N3, NHGP?, NGP?GP? in which GP? and GP? is or not a protector group such as an alkyl, benzyl, trimethylsilyl, tertbutyldimethyl

Abstract: A method of preserving an umbilical cord is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a segment of an umbilical cord; mincing the segment of the umbilical cord into cord tissue pieces; admixing the cord tissue pieces with a cryogenic composition comprising a cryoprotectant and a protein to form a mixture; shaking the mixture for a duration of no shorter than 20 minutes and no longer than 40 minutes; and cryopreserving the mixture.

Abstract: An organ perfusion apparatus and method monitor, sustain and/or restore viability of organs and preserve organs for storage and/or transport. Other apparatus include an organ transporter, an organ cassette and an organ diagnostic device. The apparatus and methods include the organ cassette with one or more openings configured to allow tubing to pass through the openings and be connected to the organ or tissue within the cassette, and including a pressure control device to allow pressure inside the portable housing to be varied.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a tissue implant for implantation. The method includes harvesting a tissue material from a human or an animal donor, treating the tissue material in a nuclease-containing solution, and thereafter treating the tissue material with an alkaline alcohol solution. The nuclease-containing solution includes an antimicrobial. The alkaline alcohol solution comprises sodium hydroxide and ethanol.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a supercooling promoting agent comprising a tannin for producing practical water which does not freeze. As the tannin, a hydrolyzable tannin such as 2,3,6-tri-O-galloyl-?,?-D-hamamelose, 1,2,6-tri-O-galloyl-?-D-glucose, and a vitrification liquid, each of which contains the supercooling promoting agent are useful as a solution or the like for storing a biological material at low temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an acellular dermal matrix, and to an acellular dermal matrix produced by same, and more particularly, to a method for producing an acellular dermal matrix, in which sucrose is added to base ingredients consisting of glycerol, propylene glycol, and a base solvent or solution so as to produce a cryoprotectant, the solution is injected into the skin below the epidermis and dermis from which cells have been removed, and freeze-drying is then performed.

Abstract: Methods of isolating cellular products, such as pancreatic islets, may be used in diabetes research and therapeutic transplantation. The methods may involve providing a tissue having desired cells that are less prone to destructive freezing and undesired cells that are more prone to destructive freezing, or pre-treating a tissue to have such characteristics. The methods may involve freezing the tissue, disrupting the tissue, warming the tissue, and separating the desired cells from undesired cellular material to obtain the cellular product. The methods may thereby provide an enzyme-free or reduced-enzyme method of isolating a cellular product that is more consistent, reliable and less toxic than conventional methods. The methods may also yield an optimum quantity of cellular product that retain sufficient functional integrity to be useful as a transplantation resource.

Abstract: Materials and methods for preserving biological materials (e.g., organs, tissues, and cells) under cold or cryo conditions while reducing or minimizing damage to the materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of cryopreserving stem and progenitor cells in a mammalian placenta; and methods of obtaining fetal stem and progenitor cells from a cryopreserved mammalian placenta. Cells obtained by carrying out the methods can be used in a variety of therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods for the cryopreservation of duckweed plants and duckweed plant tissues. The methods comprise freezing a dehydrated duckweed frond colony to a cryopreservative temperature to obtain a frozen frond colony comprising at least one cryopreserved duckweed plant or a cryopreserved duckweed plant tissue. The method can comprise a dehydration step whereby a duckweed frond colony is dehydrated, and in some embodiments, can further comprise a dormancy-induction step prior to or during the dehydration step. The method further can further comprise a recovery step, wherein the frozen frond colony is thawed and a viable duckweed plant or duckweed plant tissue is recovered. Cryopreserved duckweed plants and duckweed plant tissues, and viable duckweed plants and duckweed tissues recovered therefrom are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for stabilizing a bulk solution of recombinant protein for frozen storage, which comprises providing a partially-purified solution of recombinant protein which has a monovalent salt concentration of at least 100 mM, and adding a carbohydrate to said solution in an amount sufficient that, upon freezing, the solution has a glass transition temperature of ?56° C. or higher.

Abstract: A system for cryoencapsulating a natural or manmade biological specimen which is capable of enabling the nucleation of at least one of benign polycrystalline or vitreous ice in the specimen via the introduction of particulate nuclei and cryoprotectant into the specimen including: (a) one or more specimen cooling modules or stations; (b) one or more specimen particulate or particulate-former introduction modules or stations; (c) one or more specimen cryoprotectant-introduction modules or stations; and (d) a system control unit and necessary system utilities, wherein the system is to implement a combined process of specimen cooling, specimen particulate introduction or formation, and specimen cryoprotectant introduction, and wherein the introduced particulate is to favorably enable the nucleation of one or both of encapsulating polycrystalline or vitreous ice resulting in ice formation with at least one of reduced ice damage or cryoprotectant toxic damage to the specimen during cryoencapsulation or during event

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of processing allograft skin for transplantation and a cryopreserved allograft skin produced thereby. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method in which a cryoprotectant is prepared by adding sucrose to basic constituents comprising dimethyl sulfoxide, an animal cell culture medium and fetal bovine serum, and then the resulting solution is used to subject skin tissue for transplantation to a freezing process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of assessing the viability of a thawed cell wherein the cell is a gamete, an embryo, a karyoplast, a putative stem cell population, a stem cell precursor population or a stem cell population. The method includes incubating the thawed cell in a culture medium including a plurality of amino acids and determining the change in concentration in the medium of at least one amino acid.

Abstract: A medium solution which will increase the growth, survival and ultimately the live birth rate of oocytes and embryos which have been or will be subjected to cryopreservation. The solution contains varied amounts of glucose, pyruvates, amino acids, vitamins K5 and C, antioxidants, fatty acids to supply the specimens with the chemical ingredients and uptake requirements required to recover and prosper during and after the cryopreservation process. The solution supplies nutrients to the specimens that will replenish depletion and damage to the specimens and their mitochondria, spindles and structural features, such as cell walls. One formulation addresses the additional requirements of frozen specimens as opposed to the current media solutions and methods which treat the unfrozen specimens the same as the frozen specimens when recovering them from cryopreservation.

Abstract: A method for hypothermic preservation of biological tissue for later recovery to a viable state includes flushing the biological tissue with a gas mixture of sulfur hexafluoride or xenon and oxygen. The sulfur hexafluoride or xenon is in a concentration in the mixture between about 75 mole percent to 95 mole percent. The method includes pressurizing the biological tissue, preferably isothermically, with the mixture to a pressure that will form clathrates inside the biological tissue at a desired storage temperature in a range of about +1° C. to about +5° C. The method includes a step of cooling the biological tissue, preferably isobarically, to the desired storage temperature. Optional steps for further cooling to no colder than about ?20° C. and for depressurization are provided as well as steps for recovering the hypothermically preserved biological tissue to a viable state, preferably using a recovery gas mixture.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition for cold storage of cells which includes a population of isolated stem cells, a cell medium, and isolated trophic factors, as well as devices having a plurality of the trophic factors.

Abstract: The present disclosures provides isolated or purified compounds, each of which bind to a metal atom. Generally, the compounds are small in size (e.g, molecular weight of less than about 1 kDa) and peptidic in nature, inasmuch as the compounds comprise amino acids. In some embodiments, the compound comprises a structure of Formula I: M1-P1-M2-P2 wherein each of P1 and P2 is a peptide comprising at least two amino acids, M1 is a first metal binding moiety comprising a substituted imidazolone ring, M2 is a second metal binding moiety comprising a substituted oxazolone ring, and wherein M1 and M2 bind to a single metal atom. Also provided are related complexes, conjugates, cells which synthesize the compounds of the present disclosures, substantially homogenous cultures thereof, kits and compositions, and methods of making or using the materials of the present disclosures.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the isolation, characterization, cryopreservation and banking of human germline stem cells and gonadal tissue. Also disclosed are methods for the transplanting of the cryopreserved cells to repopulate a sterile reproductive organ.

Abstract: A medium solution which will increase the growth, survival and ultimately the live birth rate of oocytes and embryos which have been or will be subjected to cryopreservation. The solution contains varied amounts of glucose, pyruvates, amino acids, vitamins K5 and C, antioxidants, fatty acids to supply the specimens with the chemical ingredients and uptake requirements required to recover and prosper during and after the cryopreservation process. The solution supplies nutrients to the specimens that will replenish depletion and damage to the specimens and their mitochondria, spindles and structural features, such as cell walls. One formulation addresses the additional requirements of frozen specimens as opposed to the current media solutions and methods which treat the un-frozen specimens the same as the frozen specimens when recovering them from cryopreservation.

Abstract: A medium solution which will increase the growth, survival and ultimately the live birth rate of oocytes and embryos which have been or will be subjected to cryopreservation. The solution contains varied amounts of glucose, pyruvates, amino acids, vitamins K5 and C, antioxidants, fatty acids to supply the specimens with the chemical ingredients and uptake requirements required to recover and prosper during and after the cryopreservation process. The solution supplies nutrients to the specimens that will replenish depletion and damage to the specimens and their mitochondria, spindles and structural features, such as cell walls. One formulation addresses the additional requirements of frozen specimens as opposed to the current media solutions and methods which treat the un-frozen specimens the same as the frozen specimens when recovering them from cryopreservation.

Abstract: A natural spinal disk including adjacent vertebral structures is removed from a deceased donor, rinsed in normal saline, preserved in a cryopreservative solution, and then frozen by gradually decreasing the temperature using liquid nitrogen or similar method. The implant may be thawed in normal saline solution and then implanted in a patient in need of a vertebral disk replacement.

Abstract: An apparatus for vitrifying a biological specimen includes a cap member, a tubular plunger, and a specimen chamber. The cap member includes a stem portion integrally formed with a receiving portion. The receiving portion has a disc-like shape and includes an outer surface. The outer surface includes a first skirt member comprised of a heat-sealable material. The first skirt member is attached along a circumferential portion of the outer surface. The specimen chamber has an open first end portion, a closed second end portion, and a cavity extending between the first and second end portions. The cavity is defined by oppositely disposed inner and outer surfaces. The specimen chamber further includes a second skirt member comprised of heat-sealable material. The second skirt member is attached along a circumferential portion of the outer surface.

Abstract: Living cellular material may be preserved by incubating the cellular material in a culture medium containing at least one sugar, particularly for at least three hours, and then subjecting the cellular material to a preservation protocol, such as freezing, vitrification, freeze-drying and desiccation.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for regrowth of conifer embryogenic cells. The methods comprise the steps of (a) contacting cryopreserved conifer embryogenic cells with a liquid transition medium, and (b) culturing the contacted conifer embryogenic cells in a regrowth medium to generate regrowth of the conifer embryogenic cells. Generally, the cryopreserved conifer embryogenic cells are contacted with the liquid transition medium for less than about 24 hours, such as for about one hour.

Abstract: Provided herein is a placental product comprising an immunocompatible amniotic membrane. Such placental products can be cryopreserved and contain viable therapeutic cells after thawing. The placental product of the present invention is useful in treating a patient with a tissue injury (e.g. wound or burn) by applying the placental product to the injury. Similar application is useful with ligament and tendon repair and for engraftment procedures such as bone engraftment.