Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides native extracellular matrix-derived membrane inserts for organs-on-chips, multilayer microfluidics microdevices, bioreactors, tissue culture inserts, and two-dimensional and three-dimensional cell culture systems. A microfluidic cell culture is provided that can include at least one membrane including extracellular matrix (ECM) material. The ECM material can be used to construct a perfusable microfluidic system including a plurality of layers of microfabricated cell culture chambers. The microfluidic cell culture can further include a lower layer including a microchannel on which the at least one membrane is placed and an upper layer including another microchannel. The upper layer can be bonded to the lower layer.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing an angiogenesis promoter capable of exerting an excellent angiogenesis promoting effect without containing any growth factor. The present invention also addresses the problem of providing a therapeutic method. An angiogenesis promoter that comprises as an active ingredient at least one member selected from the group consisting of a gelatin derivative represented by formula 1 and a crosslinked product of the gelatin derivative: In formula 1: Gltn represents a gelatin residue; L represents a single bond or a divalent linking group; and R1 and R2 independently represent a hydrocarbon group having 1-20 carbon atoms or a hydrogen atom, provided that at least one of R1 and R2 represents the aforesaid hydrocarbon group.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are small mobile stem (SMS) cells and methods of culturing, isolating, and using SMS cells. Also disclosed are methods of culturing SMS cells in an undifferentiated state for prolonged periods of time, and for using SMS cells for the production of a variety of molecules, including proteins, extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, and the use of SMS cells in microfluidic devices.

Abstract: A flowable birth tissue composition fabricated from birth tissue is provided. Methods of processing a mammal's placental tissue to form a flowable birth tissue composition are provided. Various methods of treatment and uses are also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a method of preparing a bioactive scaffold for inducing tendon regeneration, the method includes decellularizing a fresh tendon tissue and to obtain a decellularized tendon sheet scaffold or slice scaffold, and adding ECM materials to the decellularized tendon sheet scaffold or slice scaffold.

Abstract: Methods for producing hepatocyte and/or cholangiocyte lineage cells from pluripotent stem cells, the method comprising (a) specifying the extended nodal agonist treated induced endodermal cell population to obtain a cell population comprising hepatocyte and/or cholangiocyte progenitors by contacting the extended nodal agonist treated induced endodermal cell population with specification media comprising a FGF agonist and a BMP4 agonist and/or active conjugates and/or fragments thereof; (b) inducing maturation, and optionally further lineage specification and/or expansion of the hepatocyte and/or cholangiocyte progenitors of the cell population to obtain a population comprising hepatocyte lineage cells such as hepatoblasts, hepatocytes and/or cholangiocytes, the inducing maturation step comprising generating aggregates of the cell population. Optionally, the method also comprises activating the cAMP pathway within the aggregates and forming co-aggregates.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the efficient in vitro differentiation of somatic cell-derived pluripotent stem cells to hematopoietic precursor cells, and the further differentiation of the hematopoietic precursor cells into immune cells of various myeloid or lymphoid lineages, particularly T cells, NK cells, and dendritic cells. The pluripotent cells may be maintained and differentiated under defined conditions; thus, the use of mouse feeder cells or serum is not required in certain embodiments for the differentiation of the hematopoietic precursor cells.

Abstract: A platform for creating engineered tissues includes a vascular tube that defines a vascular diameter and is configured to receive vascular system seed cells, a non-vascular tube that defines a non-vascular tube diameter and is configured to receive organ system seed cells, and a barrier formed between the vascular tube and the non-vascular tube.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a method of manufacturing a high-resolution structure using a size-tunable hydrogel. According to various embodiments, a basic structure may be fabricated. A temporary structure made of a hydrogel may be fabricated by applying a hydrogel to the basic structure. The temporary structure may shrink by dehydrating the hydrogel. This process may be repeated to fabricate smaller structures. The final structure may be fabricated using the temporary structure or the basic structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to methods of producing rejuvenated T cells, comprising, contacting T cells with at least one reprogramming factor and reactivating the contacted cells; and compositions and methods of using same. The present disclosure also describes cell populations prepared according to methods described herein. The disclosure also provides for methods of treating patients using cell populations prepared by the methods described herein.

Abstract: Methods for analyzing omics data and using the omics data to determine genetic distances and/or difference scores among a plurality of biological uncles to so further determine the homogeneity of a group having a plurality of biological samples and/or exclude as individual biological sample from a group of biological samples a an outlier we presented. In preferred methods, a plurality of local differential string sea among do plurality of sequence strings is generated wing a plurality of local alignments. The local different suing is as indicative of genetic difference between one sequence string and one of do rests of do sequence strings among the plurality of sequence strings. From the plurality of local differential string sets, a plurality of difference scores among do plurality of sequence strings can be determined.

Abstract: An inhibitor of p53 activation for use in haematopoietic stem and/or progenitor cell gene therapy, preferably wherein the inhibitor is an inhibitor of p53 phosphorylation, more preferably an inhibitor of p53 Serine 15 phosphorylation.

Abstract: A passage timing calculation device includes a processor and a memory encoded with instructions executed by the processor, wherein the instructions causing the processor to perform operations comprising calculating a time change in an area occupied by an extraction target region that is a region in which a striated pattern appears from a plurality of images of pluripotent stem cells captured at different times, detecting a change point of the time change in an area occupied by the extraction target region, and calculating a passage timing of the pluripotent stem cells on the basis of the change point.

Abstract: A hydrogel is formed by a reaction which is induced, in an electrolytic solution, by an electrode product electrochemically generated by electrodes installed in the electrolytic solution. An apparatus including an electrolytic tank with a bottom surface on which a two-dimensional array of working electrodes is provided and a counter electrode installed in the electrolytic tank is prepared. An electrolytic solution containing a dissolved substance that causes electrolytic deposition of a hydrogel is housed in the electrolytic tank. By applying a predetermined voltage to one or more selected working electrodes of the two-dimensional array, a hydrogel with a two-dimensional pattern corresponding to the arrangement of the selected working electrodes is formed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mucoadhesive patch for attachment to a mucosal surface in a patient, the patch comprising a fibrous polymeric mat substrate and a plurality of polymeric flock particles that are attached to the substrate.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing insulin-producing cells having sufficient glucose responsiveness from mesenchymal stem cells, an insulin-producing cell having sufficient glucose responsiveness, a cell structure containing the insulin-producing cell, and a pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: A population of human polygonal RPE cells is disclosed. At least 95% of the cells thereof co-express premelanosome protein (PMEL17) and cellular retinaldehyde binding protein (CRALBP), wherein the trans-epithelial electrical resistance of the cells is greater than 100 ohms. Methods of generating same are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides a fluid therapeutic placental product comprising placental cells and a placental dispersion comprising placental factors. The placental cells and the placental dispersion are derived from placental tissue. A placental tissue can optionally be an amnion, chorion, or a trophoblast-depleted chorion. 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: Systems, computer program products, and methods are described herein for data community detection via data network telemetry. Packet header information and a corresponding record is received via a network sensing module. The record is analyzed to identify the direction(s) of the data transfer. The record is then validated and used to generate at least one directionality map, which is segmented into a plurality of time segments based on a user defined interval. A clustering algorithm is then used to determine at least one community for each of the directionality maps. The at least one directionality maps is then displayed at the user interface of an endpoint device. The at least one community is then provided with a functional group indicator, the functional group indicator compared to a stored functional group indicator to identify any mismatches.

Abstract: Provided herein is a new method to isolate and expand cardiac progenitor/stem cells from a placenta, which produces a cell population enriched in multipotent functional progenitor/stem cells. Cardiac progenitor/stem cells isolated by this method maintain their self-renewal character in vitro and differentiate into normal cells in myocardium, including cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells, after transplantation into ischemic hearts. Also provided in this application are substantially pure populations of multipotent cardiac progenitor/stem cells, and their use to treat and prevent diseases and injuries, including those resulting from myocardial infarction. A model for assessing the potential of cardiac stem cells for treatment of myocardial infarction is also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments are described that relate to methods and systems for growing cells in a hollow fiber bioreactor. In embodiments, the cells may be exposed to a number of growth factors including a combination of recombinant growth factors. In other embodiments, the cells may be grown in co-culture with other cells, e.g., hMSC's. In embodiments, the cells may include CD34+ cells.

Abstract: A culture medium is disclosed which comprises STAT3 activator, an ERK1/2 inhibitor and an Axin stabilizer, and optionally also a PKC inhibitor. Cell cultures comprising same and uses thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can give rise to multiple cell types and hold great promise in regenerative medicine and disease modeling applications. The Inventors herein developed a reliable two-step protocol to generate human mammary-like organoids from iPSCs. Non-neural ectoderm cell-containing spheres, referred to as mEBs, were first differentiated and enriched from iPSCs using MammoCult medium. Gene expression profile analysis suggested that mammary gland function-associated signaling pathways were hallmarks of 10-d differentiated mEBs. The Inventors generated mammary-like organoids from 10-d mEBs using 3D floating mixed gel culture and a three-stage differentiation procedure. These organoids expressed common breast tissue, luminal, and basal markers, including estrogen receptor, and could be induced to produce milk protein. These results demonstrate that human iPSCs can be directed in vitro toward mammary lineage differentiation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of preparing mimicking angiogenic co-spheroids, including: co-cultring a neural related cell and a cultured cell on hyaluronan-grafted chitosan (CS-HA) substrates to form a co-spheroid of neural related cell/cultured cell, and encapsulating the co-spheroid of neural related cell/cultured cell into a hydrogel to form a mimicking angiogenic co-spheroid. The mimicking angiogenic co-spheroid of the present disclosure can be formed by 3D printing model as a 3D mini-neurovascular unit, which is applicated to a high-throughput angiogenesis screening platform.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cell culture compositions, for example, pancreatic cell culture compositions, derived from dedifferentiated human reprogrammed pluripotent stem cells, such as induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and methods for producing and using such cell culture compositions.

Abstract: Harvested stem cells are activated by treating them with an amplitude modulated laser beam having a wavelength lying in the range of 405 to 980 nanometers. The frequency of the laser beam is modulated within a range of 8 to 12 MHz. Using the activated stem cells, tissue can be repaired and regenerated by preparing the unactivated stem cells, treating the unactivated stem cells with an amplitude modulated laser beam having a pre-determined frequency for obtaining activated stem cells, administering the activated stem cells into a body containing the tissue, and using a homing beam to guide the activated stem cells within the body to the location of the tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inducing trans-differentiation of cardiomyocytes based on exosome, and more particularly, to a method for inducing trans-differentiation of a fibroblast into a cardiomyocyte, comprising the steps of: isolating exosomes in a culture medium during a process of differentiating a stem cell into the cardiomyocyte; culturing a fibroblast in a cardiomyocyte reprogramming medium containing the isolated exosomes; and culturing the fibroblast cultured in a cardiomyocyte differentiation medium containing the isolated exosomes.

Abstract: The present invention may provide a method for producing induced pluripotency stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells (IFN?-iMSC) pretreated with interferon-gamma; induced pluripotency stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells pretreated with interferon-gamma prepared by the method; a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating skin diseases, and a cosmetic composition for preventing or improving skin diseases, comprising culture thereof or exosome (IFN?-iMSC-exo) isolated therefrom as an active ingredient. When the composition of the present invention is used, it is possible to provide a composition for skin diseases and a stem cell therapeutic agent, which have an improved immunomodulating function over conventional mesenchymal stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vitro immune synapse system and a method of in vitro evaluating immune response using the same. The in vitro immune synapse system includes antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and at least one cell type of several specific T cell subtypes isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), all of which is from a same individual of pigs. When a test sample is co-cultured in the in vitro immune synapse system for a given period, it can be determined that the test sample is immunogenic, immunostimulatory or not according to the immunization-related changes of these cells, thereby potentially replacing some kinds of animal experimentation.

Abstract: This application describes liver stem cells (LSC), and differentiated hepatocytes, cholangiocytes, and 3D cellular structures derived therefrom. Methods for producing LSC and mature, differentiated hepatocytes and cholangiocytes in culture are provided. Also provided are cell culture systems and cell culture media for producing a homogenous population of liver stem cells that remain in an undifferentiated state over multiple passages in culture. The LSC and methods are useful for producing homogenous populations of hepatocytes and cholangiocytes for downstream applications. The LSC can be transplanted into subjects to treat liver diseases.

Abstract: Enhanced methods for the generation of medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) cells from pluripotent stem cells are provided that involve an additional step of contacting the cells with an activator of FGF8 signaling while differentiating Pax6+ cells progenitor cells into MGE cells with an activator of sonic hedgehog, and optionally a Wnt inhibitor. The activator of FGF8 signaling shifts the differentiation of the population of cells to NKX2.1+ MGE cells, rather than to CopuTFII+ caudal ganglionic eminence (CGE) cells. Methods for treatment of neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, by transplant of MGE cells, or GABAergic interneurons derived from human pluripotent stem cells, into a subject in need of treatment are also provided. Human pluripotent stem cell derived MGE cells when transplanted successfully suppress spontaneous seizures, e.g. in epilepsy.

Abstract: Provided herein are, inter alia, methods useful for delivering nucleic acids and kinase inhibitors to a cell. The methods provided herein include the delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids to cancer cells by contacting a cancer cell with a kinase inhibitor and a therapeutic nucleic acid. The methods provided herein are therefore, inter alia, useful for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions comprising cardiomyocytes and epicardial cells for the treatment of cardiac disease.

Abstract: Provided is a cell culture apparatus including a culture vessel that stores a cell suspension containing cells; a first filter part that has a first filter membrane that performs membrane separation treatment on the cell suspension extracted from the culture vessel; a first circulation flow path that allows components blocked by the first filter membrane to return to the culture vessel; a second filter part that has a second filter membrane that performs membrane separation treatment on components of the cell suspension permeated through the first filter membrane; a second circulation flow path that allows components permeated through the second filter membrane to return to the culture vessel; and a recovery flow path that recovers components blocked by the second filter membrane. In the cell culture apparatus, an average hole diameter of the first filter membrane is 20 ?m or smaller, and 0<B/A?0.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. In particular, the present invention provides an improved method for the formation of pancreatic endoderm, pancreatic hormone expressing cells and pancreatic hormone secreting cells. The present invention also provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells without the use of a feeder cell layer.

Abstract: Provided herein is a drug delivery device and composition, such as a particle, comprising conditioned medium. Also provided herein is a method of preparing polymeric particles for release of conditioned medium. Further, a tissue growth scaffold comprising particles for release of conditioned medium is provided.

Abstract: The present application relates to methods and compositions for treating diseased or damaged cardiac tissue comprising regenerative cells harvested from donor cardiac tissue. In one embodiment, regenerative cells are harvested from an allogeneic source and after administration result in increased viability and/or functional improvement of damaged or diseased cardiac tissue.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel methods and composition utilizing adipose tissue-derived stromal stem cells for treating fistulae.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of preparing differentiated endodermal cells comprising growing human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) under serum free conditions for 3 days on a layer of fibronectin or a gelatinous protein layer in the presence of high activin/TGF-? with a GSK3 inhibitor and a PI3K/mTORC inhibitor in a basal differentiation medium; adding a knock out serum replacement to the media starting on day 4 through day 7; and harvesting the endodermal cells grown therein.

Abstract: Non-enzymatic method and milling device for preparing therapeutic cells from adipose tissue comprising: continuously feeding the adipose tissue to the milling device (2); mechanically separating the cells or cell aggregates from adipose tissue moving through the milling device (2) by means of a multiplicity of blades (19) of a rotor (10), wherein the blades (19) are arranged in a spaced arrangement with respect to the overall direction of flow and the blades (19) are moving about an axis of rotation (18), wherein the axis of rotation (18) is provided essentially parallel to said overall direction of flow; continuously withdrawing the processed tissue comprising the separated cells from the milling device (2).

Abstract: The invention covers the use of certain classes of lipids including cationic lipids in ex-vivo dendritic cell therapies. The cationic lipids enhance antigen uptake, processing and presentation of the processed antigens by dendritic cells to CD8+ and CD4+ T-cells via the MHC classes I and II presentation pathways respectively. Antigen uptake via cationic lipid by dendritic cells result in significant lowering of the population of the immune suppressive regulatory T cells in the tumors and a significant increase of the tumor targeting cytotoxic T-cells. Loss of regulatory T cells and increase of tumor specific cytotoxic cells are conducive to effective elimination of the tumors.

Abstract: Compositions are provided that contain biologically active components of amniotic fluid including growth factors and other proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and metabolites. The compositions containing biologically active components of amniotic fluid can be useful for a range of therapeutic treatments including joint and soft tissue repair, regulation of skin condition, and for use in organ preservation, such as for use in organ transplant procedures. Advantages of the compositions include that they can be reproducibly produced, without the inherent variability of amniotic fluid from individual donors, and that they are free of fetal waste.

Abstract: Novel isolated stem cells derived from pre-term placental tissue and compositions comprising the stem cells are provided as well as use of the compositions for therapy, research and diagnosis. The cells and compositions are useful in treating Myelomeningocele (MCC), spina bifida (SB) or spinal cord injury or paralysis.

Abstract: A hydrogel is formed by a reaction which is induced, in an electrolytic solution, by an electrode product electrochemically generated by electrodes installed in the electrolytic solution. An apparatus including an electrolytic tank with a bottom surface on which a two-dimensional array of working electrodes is provided and a counter electrode installed in the electrolytic tank is prepared. An electrolytic solution containing a dissolved substance that causes electrolytic deposition of a hydrogel is housed in the electrolytic tank. By applying a predetermined voltage to one or more selected working electrodes of the two-dimensional array, a hydrogel with a two-dimensional pattern corresponding to the arrangement of the selected working electrodes is formed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to stem cells and their therapeutic use in the treatment and/or prevention of pancreatic diseases or disorders. Provided herein are compositions comprising c-kit positive pancreatic stem cells and methods of preparing and using c-kit positive pancreatic stem cells for the treatment and/or prevention of pancreatic diseases or disorders.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods useful for the treatment and prevention of conditions associated with short telomere length.

Abstract: A solid reagent containment unit is formed by a support; a frame body fixed to the support and delimiting internally, together with the support, an analysis volume; a reagent-adhesion structure within the analysis volume; and at least one reagent cavity, which extends within the reagent-adhesion structure. The reagent-adhesion structure is of an adhesion material embossable at temperatures lower by 6-8° C. than its own melting point and has a melting point such as not to interfere with the analysis. The reagent cavity forms a retention wall, laterally surrounding the reagent cavity, and houses dried reagents. The adhesion material is chosen among wax, such as paraffin, a polymer, such as polycaprolactone, a solid fat, such as cocoa butter, and a gel, such as hydrogel or organogel.

Abstract: The present application relates to a microfluidic system and its method for use for the separation of motile sperm from immotile sperm or motile bacteria from immotile bacteria. The system includes a housing having a first end, and a second end, with a passage connecting the first and second ends. There is an inlet at the first end of the housing for charging fluids into the passage and an outlet at the second end of said housing for discharging fluids from the passage. There are one or more corrals within the passage, each of the corrals including a closed side and a partially open side. The closed side of the corrals is closer to the first end than the partially open side, with the closed side and partially open side defining between them a confinement region suitable for retaining motile sperm or motile bacteria.

Abstract: A tissue construct is provided that comprises a pancreas derived microvessel fragment and a pancreatic islet cell. The pancreas derived microvessel fragment and the pancreatic islet cell can be incorporated into a biocompatible medium. Tissue constructs can be comprised of other cells, such as stem cells, combined with the pancreas derived microvascular fragment. Methods for isolating microvessel fragments from a pancreas are also provided and include enzymatic digestion of pancreatic tissue and separation of microvessel fragments from endocrine and exocrine tissue. Methods for treating diabetes are further provided and include administration of the tissue constructs.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for dynamically controlling and targeting multiple immunosuppressive mechanisms in cancer. Some aspects provide cells engineered to produce multiple effector molecules, each of which modulates a different immunosuppressive mechanisms of a tumor, as well as methods of using the cells to treat cancer, such as ovarian, breast, or colon cancer.