Abstract: The present invention provides a method for isolating mesenchymal stem cells derived from a placental chorionic plate membrane, the method including: (a) harvesting a chorionic plate membrane from a detached placenta; (b) harvesting cells present in the chorionic plate membrane obtained in step (a) by scraping; (c) adding a solution containing trypsin and ethylenediaminetetraacetate to the cells obtained in step (b) to perform an enzymatic reaction and adding a fetal bovine serum thereto to terminate the enzymatic reaction; and (d) centrifuging the reaction solution obtained in step (c) and culturing the obtained cells in a medium containing a fetal bovine serum and an antibiotic.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for processing tissue to release biological material including cells are disclosed.

Abstract: Human cardiac stem cells can be isolated from endomyocardial biopsies. Such cells mediate cardiac regeneration and improve heart function in a mouse infarct model. The cells can be used for autologous, allogeneic, syngeneic, or xenogeneic therapeutic applications in patients. The stem cells can be genetically modified to enhance their therapeutic activity.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions for stimulating proliferation of cells that express adherent junctions and cease proliferation, for example, human corneal endothelial cells, by downregulation of certain cell-cell junctions. In one embodiment, downregulation is achieved using RNA interference, and contacting the cells with mitogenic growth factors and an agent that elevates intracytoplasmic cAMP. Furthermore, described herein are methods of isolating human corneal endothelial cells from keratocytes, and methods of preserving and maintaining viability of human corneal endothelial cell aggregates. Also described are surgical grafts comprising human corneal endothelial cells that have been isolated, optionally stored, and transiently contacted with an agent that downregulates expression of p 120, and a biocompatible support.

Abstract: The assays, methods, tools and systems discussed herein represent an improved and unified system for monitoring the progression of an individual patient malignancy. The assays, methods, tools and systems discussed herein represent an improved and unified system for monitoring and for identifying cellular and secreted markers, for screening cells to detect phenotypic and genotypic drift and for predicting chemotherapeutic response of patient tumor cells to at least one therapeutic agent. The assays, methods, tools and systems discussed herein also represent an improved and unified system for monitoring and for screening multiple pharmaceutical agents for efficacy and long term effect as to a specific patient.

Abstract: Adipose tissue has proven to serve as an abundant, accessible, and rich source of endothelial or vascular endothelial cells suitable for tissue engineering. We describe a detailed method for the isolation and purification of endothelial cells using purified enzymes and antibody-based selection. The cells can be obtained from liposuction procedures and used in vascular grafts.

Abstract: The application discloses adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSC) and related compositions and methods. ADSCs are useful for (i) production of insulin producing cells, (ii) treatment of diabetes, (iii) endothelial cell reconstitution, (iv) treatment of overactive bladder and urge incontinence, (v) prevention and treatment of bladder voiding dysfunction; (vi) treatment of neurogenic impotence such as that resulting from diabetes or after prostate cancer therapy; (vii) treatment of vasculogenic impotence, such as that resulting from hypertension, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis and diabetes; (viii) the promotion of wound healing; (ix) reduction of skin wrinkling; and (x) hair growth.

Abstract: Methods for the isolation, expansion and storage of a population of stem cells belonging to human dental follicles, called FENC (Follicle-derived Embryonic Neural Crest stem cells,) including: a) Collection of the follicular sack in sterile conditions, digestion and primary culture growth and expansion; b) Optional amplification; c) FACsorting.

Abstract: A novel population of kidney-derived cells is described that exhibits surface co-expression of CD133 and CD24 markers; said cells possess stem cell capacity and are capable of undergoing tubulogenic, adipogenic, osteogenic and neurogenic differentiation.

Abstract: Human non-embryonic adult totipotent and pluripotent stem cells are isolated in a simplified serum-free and feeder cell-free process. Most remarkably, certain stem cells, and especially BLSCs, are extremely small, fail to exclude trypan blue, but are nevertheless able to proliferate from even high dilutions. Therefore, so obtained stem cells can be used to prepare true monoclonal stem cell populations, which are useful in numerous uses, including therapeutic, prophylactic, diagnostic, and research uses.

Abstract: Cells derived from human umbilical cords are disclosed along with methods for their therapeutic use. Isolation techniques, culture methods and detailed characterization of the cells with respect to their cell surface markers, gene expression, and their secretion of trophic factors are described.

Abstract: A method of isolating a pluripotent cell from human umbilical cord is described herein. The method involves collecting a sample of umbilical cord from fetal tissue obtained at less than 20 weeks of gestation, for example a first trimester umbilical cord. The sample is treated to obtain isolated umbilical cord cells, after which the isolated umbilical cord cells are incubated. Stem cells obtained in this way can be differentiated for use in therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of culturing mammalian taste cells, including taste receptor cells. Cells are maintained for a duration of up to three months and longer while maintaining molecular and functional characteristics of mature taste cells. The cells are cultured on coated cell culture vessels and, from first replacement of medium onwards, the medium is replaced in intervals of at least 5 days. The invention further provides isolation and culturing methods of taste cells wherein the time that the cells are exposed to isolation solution and proteolytic enzymes is minimized and the cells are cultured in coated culture vessels with the medium replaced in intervals of at least 5 days from first replacement onwards. The invention further provides cultured taste cells, transfection and assay methods, and taste cell assay buffers with an osmolarity of about 300-320 and pH of about 7.0-7.3.

Abstract: In this invention is described a method that foresees the isolation of a new subpopulation of stem cells derived form dental pulp, whose differentiation is osteoblasts lead to the subsequent production and employment of a bone tissue, called LAB (Living Autologous Bone).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for isolation of multipotent stem cells from dental tissue in which the stem cells are extracted from a tissue structure and then cultured. The invention also relates to stem cells isolated by means of the method according to the invention as well as bone cells and nerve cells produced by means of the method according to the invention. The invention also relates to a method for producing a bank of stem cells in which the cells are stored by means of the method according to the invention. According to the present invention, the cells of a pad-like soft tissue that can be localized beneath the papilla directly on the apical side of an extracted immature tooth are cryopreserved in the tissue structure such that the tissue structure is disintegrated to extract the stem cells only after thawing.

Abstract: Methods for processing tissues to render them suitable for implantation, e.g. in an orthopedic site. Tissues are rendered substantially acellular and substantially nonimmunogenic by exposure to processes that result in cell lysis, increasing permeability of the extracellular matrix, degrading the debris from lysis, and removing the debris. Methods of forming tissue implants, kits for processing tissue implants, and methods of using tissue implants are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method to isolate and expand pure progenitor/stem cells from a primary tissue explant, which produces a population enriched in multipotent functional progenitor/stem cells free of contaminating fibroblasts and other cell types. Cardiac progenitor/stem cells isolated by this method maintain their self-renewal and clonogenic character in vitro and differentiate into normal cells in myocardium, including cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells, after transplantation into ischemic hearts. The present invention also includes substantially pure populations of multipotent progenitor/stem cells, e.g., cardiac progenitor/stem cells, and their use to treat and prevent diseases and injuries, including those resulting from myocardial infarction.

Abstract: Techniques are provided which can isolate pluripotent stem cells at high purity capable of differentiation into at least a myocardial cell to regenerate the cardiac muscle. The pluripotent stem cells at high purity capable of differentiation into at least a myocardial cell to regenerate the cardiac muscle can be isolated through the following steps: (i) collecting a skeletal muscle tissue from a mammal and enzymatically treating the obtained skeletal muscle tissue to prepare a skeletal muscle tissue-derived cell; (ii) culturing the obtained skeletal muscle tissue-derived cell in a culture medium containing an epidermal growth factor and a fibroblast growth factor; (iii) selecting and separating a colony that is floating in the culture medium.

Abstract: A method of processing an organ is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) placing an organ in a sealable container; (b) disrupting the structure of said organ to yield a cell suspension; and (c) transferring said cell suspension to a sealable cell-suspension storage container, thereby isolating cells of said organ, wherein said sealable container, wherein said disrupting and said transferring are all performed substantially in a continuous vessel.

Abstract: The invention concerns cells derived from the cellular fraction of the vascular stroma of the extramedullary adipose tissue, methods for preparing them and their use in regeneration of hematopoietic lines and cardiac and skeletal muscular tissues, in particular for treating genetic or acquired hemopathies, myopathies and cardiomypathies.

Abstract: Cells derived from postpartum umbilicus and placenta are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions, devices and methods for the regeneration or repair of ocular tissue using the postpartum-derived cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ependymal neural CNS stem cell, which cell expresses the surface protein Notch 1 together with at least one surface protein chosen from the group of Notch 2, Notch 3, CAR (transmembrane protein binding adenovirus) and CFTR cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator), and which cell also comprises at least one cilium. The invention also relates to preparations, including pharmaceutical preparations, comprising ependymal neural CNS stem cells, in vitro and in vivo assays based thereon and various other uses of the novel ependymal cells according to the invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of isolating hepatoblasts utilizing panning techniques and fluorescence activated cell sorting. This invention further relates to isolated hepatoblasts and to a method of treating liver dysfunction as well as to methods of forming artificial livers.

Abstract: Methods to obtain genetic modifications of cells in histoculture are described. Modification is assisted by treating the histoculture with collagenase prior to contacting the histoculture with the delivery vehicle for the desired gene. Hair follicles and other organized tissues can be modified in this was and then transplanted into intact recipients.

Abstract: Advanced Islet Separation Technology incorporates an automated method, automated control methodology, process control interface, and automated apparatus to separate (isolate) and process pancreatic islets in a tissue suspension in physiologic process solution, utilizing microprocessor controllers and computer control and software programming to interface and control the process temperature, process flowrate, percent hydrogen concentration, dissolved oxygen concentration, endotoxin concentration, dissolved nitric oxide concentration, nitric oxide synthase concentration, proteolytic enzyme activity, and pressure of the islet containing physiologic process solution, including real-time process data acquisition and recording of the process variables.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substantially pure population of viable pancreatic progenitor cells, and methods for isolating such cells. The present invention further concerns certain therapeutic uses for such progenitor cells, and their progeny.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for obtaining mammalian insulin secreting cells in vitro, characterized in that it contains the following steps: a) preparation of the mammalian pancreatic tissues by removal of a pancreas, b) dissociation of the pancreatic tissues obtained in step (a) into isolated pancreatic cells, c) possibly the elimination of the endocrine cells from the pancreatic cells isolated in step (b), d) induction of dedifferentiation of the cells isolated in step (b) into ductal precursor cells, e) induction of redifferentiation of the ductal precursor cells obtained in step (d) into insulin secreting cells. It also concerns the use of the insulin secreting cells thus obtained for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition which can be used for the treatment of pancreatic pathologies and particularly diabetes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting cells from organs in which a digestion chamber includes at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and a separator for retaining the organ and permitting the cells and the physiologically compatible medium to exit the outlet. The digestion chamber can also includes at least one agitation member having an interior with at least one void. An agitation member for extracting cells from organs is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of purification of Hepatitis A Virus from the supernatant of an infected cell culture and production of a preparation of purified HAV antigen. The present invention is also directed to an HAV vaccine composition comprising a preparation consisting of purified mature HAV particles in an amount sufficient to induce a protective immune response in a mammal.

Abstract: A system for extracting cells from organs includes a digestion chamber for containing a physiologically compatible medium with at least one protease. The chamber has at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and retains the organ and permits cells to exit the outlet. A conduit is provided for supplying the physiologically compatible medium to the digestion chamber. A heating apparatus has a heating surface and structure for removably securing an adjustable length of the conduit against the heating surface of the heating apparatus. The conduit is removably secured against the heating surface to heat the physiologically compatible medium. A method for extracting cells from organs and a heating apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to tissue decellularization and, in particular to a method of treating tissues, for example, heart valves, tendons and ligaments, so as to render them acellular and thereby limit mineralization and/or immunoreactivity upon implementation in vivo.

Abstract: Methods and materials are provided for reforming degenerated intervertebral discs of the spine of a vertebrate and in particular the spine of a human. Tissue is evacuated from the nucleus pulposus portion of a degenerated intervertebral disc space, and a biodegradable substrate containing isolated intervertebral disc cells is implanted in the evacuated space for reformation of intervertebral disc tissue. Intervertebral disc cells are provided by digesting intervertebral disc tissue with collagenase and incubating the cells in a medium supplemented with hyaluronidase. The substrate may be bioactive so as to enhance cell function. Substrates include bioactive glass granules, polymer foams and the polymer foams coated with a bioactive gel material produced by a sol-gel process. A polymer foam is dipped into a sol resulting from combining a metal alkoxide precursor with water and acid, residual sol is evacuated from pores of the foam, and remaining sol contained by the foam is allowed to gel.

Abstract: A method for isolating specific viable cell types from surrounding organ tissue is provided. The method entails the use of sonication in conjunction with tissue dissociating agents to free the cells of interest. A specific application of the method is the isolation of the insulin producing tissue of the pancreas, the islets of Langerhans. The method results in a high yield of islets that maintain a high level of viability.

Abstract: Acellular matrix grafts are provided with are isolated from natural sources and consist essentially of a collagen and elastin matrix which is devoid of cellular components. The grafts are useful scaffolds which promote the regeneration of muscle tissue and aid in restoring muscle function. Due to their acellular nature, the grafts lack antigenicity. As a result, the acellular matrix grafts can be isolated from autographic, allographic or xenographic tissues.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing agents containing virus-inactivated vitamin K-dependent plasma components as well as protein C, protein S, factors II, VII, IX and/or X as well as combinations thereof, such as, for example, PPSB preparations, wherein a source containing these components is subjected to appropriate separation procedures, especially by using membrane-chromatographic methods.

Abstract: This invention concerns compositions of chondrocytic cells, notably human ones, and the methods for preparing and using them. More specifically, the invention describes the production of autologous human chondrocyte suspensions, employing recombinant enzymes and/or media that are compatible with pharmaceutical use. The invention also describes methods and compositions for freezing chondrocytes, notably in the absence of DMSO. The chondrocytes which are produced can be used in vivo to restore affected cartilaginous structures, such as in post-traumatic cartilaginous defects or dissecting osteochondrite of the knee or, more generally, for treating and repairing clinically significant defects in cartilage, notably in joint cartilage.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of isolating hepatic progenitors utilizing panning techniques and fluorescence activated cell sorting. This invention further relates to isolated hepatic progenitors and to a method of treating liver dysfunction as well as to methods of forming artificial livers.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for using collagenase to dissociate neural stem cells in neural stem cell cultures when passaging aggregated neural stem cells. The collagenase treatment results in an increased cell viability and an increased number of proliferated neural stem cells over time.

Abstract: The use of totipotent embryonic stem cells to provide substantially identical cells for embryo cloning techniques is described. The method includes the culture of loose suspensions of inner cell mass cells of bovine animals to retrieve large populations of stem cells. The invention also describes the use of stem cells in various genetic manipulation techniques.

Abstract: Novel cultured inner cell mass (CICM) cells, and cell lines, derived from ungulates, in particular, pigs and cows, and methods for their preparation are provided. The subject CICMs possess similar morphology and express cell markers identically or substantially similarly to ICMs of undifferentiated developing embryos for prolonged culturing periods. Heterologous DNA is inserted into the subject CICM cells and cell lines so as produce transgenic CICM cell which are introduced into non-human fertilized embryos to produce transgenic chimeric embryos. The transgenic chimeric embryos are transferred into recipient females where they are permitted to develop into transgenic chimeric fetuses. Recipient females give birth to transgenic chimeric animals which are capable of transmitting the heterologous DNA to their progeny. Transgenic CICM cells are also used to produce cloned transgenic embryos, fetuses and offspring.

Abstract: A method, a solution and a chamber for the preparation and storage of pancreatic islets. The method includes contacting a pancreas with a warm collagenase solution, digesting the pancreas in the warm collagenase solution to form warm digest, adding cold preservative solution to the warm digest, agitating the warm digest/cold preservative solution at a temperature between about 0.degree. and 15.degree. C., to thereby further digest the partially digested pancreas included in the warm digest, to form cold digest and collecting liquid from the cold digest to form isolated islets. The cold preservative solution and a pancreatic islet preservative solution of the present invention include D-mannitol, K-lactobionate and a buffer.

Abstract: Novel cultured inner cell mass (CICM) cells, and cell lines, derived from ungulates, in particular, pigs and cows, and methods for their preparation are provided. The subject CICMs possess similar morphology and express cell markers identically or substantially similarly to ICMs of undifferentiated developing embryos for prolonged culturing periods. Heterologous DNAs may be introduced into the subject CICM cells and cell lines to produce transgenic cells useful for the production of transgenic embryos, fetuses and/or offspring, e.g., by nuclear transfer procedures.

Abstract: A method for isolating specific viable cell types from surrounding organ tissue is provided. The method entails the use of sonication in conjunction with tissue dissociating agents to free the cells of interest. A specific application of the method is the isolation of the insulin producing tissue of the pancreas, the islets of Langerhans. The method results in a high yield of islets that maintain a high level of viability.

Abstract: Disclosed is a synthetic medium with PDGF, vitronectin, IL-1.beta. and BSA added to Eagle's minimum essential medium or medium with transferrin, insulin, progesterone and putrescine further added thereto. When cultivating the postnatal central neurons using the inventive medium, there are effects such that good attachment to substrate, extension of neuritic processes and maintenance of survival are achieved, that more stable sure cultivation becomes possible as well over the astrocyte-conditioned medium used hitherto, and the like.

Abstract: Novel polypeptides having fibrinogenolytic properties and having amino acid sequences as SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5 and SEQ ID NO: 6 indicated in the Sequence Listing, the preparation and use thereof for controlling diseases.

Abstract: The activities of chymopapain or papain in enzyme mixtures are inhibited by the addition of glycogen, hyaluronic acid, or desulfated heparin. The process for isolating viable hepatocytes or pancreatic cells by treatment with papain or chymopapain is improved by terminating the treatment by inhibiting the reaction with these polysaccharides. Similarly, the process for removing undesired tissue by treatment with papain or chymopapain is improved by terminating the treatment by inhibiting the reaction with these polysaccharides.