Abstract: Described herein is a sealed cell pack with a permeable membrane for growth and manipulation of three-dimensional cell cultures. This allows a cell culture to be removed from the laboratory and subjected to real world insults before being returned to culture conditions for continued growth and study. One application is for use in the study of the direct effects of blast waves on neuronal cells and methods for mitigating this response.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating congestive heart failure are provided herein.

Abstract: Screening assays and methods of performing such assays are provided. In certain examples, the assays and methods may be designed to determine whether or not two or more species can associate with each other. In some examples, the assays and methods may be used to determine if a known antigen binds to an unknown monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: Screening assays and methods of performing such assays are provided. In certain examples, the assays and methods may be designed to determine whether or not two or more species can associate with each other. In some examples, the assays and methods may be used to determine if a known antigen binds to an unknown monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: An ejection liquid capable of being stably ejected based on a system using thermal energy even if the liquid contains at least one selected from the group consisting of proteins and peptides, and a method and an apparatus for ejecting the liquid containing at least one selected from the group consisting of proteins and peptides using this system are provided. The applicability of the liquid for use in an inkjet system using thermal energy is improved by adding at least one selected from the group consisting of amino acids and salts thereof and a surfactant to an aqueous solution containing at least one selected from the group consisting of proteins and peptides.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a means capable of transferring a cell sheet, a cell pattern or the like to a desired material at a high speed. The present invention provides a substrate for cell culture comprising a base and a cell adhesive region formed on a surface of the base, wherein the cell adhesive region is formed of a film that is rendered cell adhesive by applying an oxidation treatment and/or a decomposition treatment to a cell-adhesion inhibitory hydrophilic film containing an organic compound having a carbon-oxygen bond.

Abstract: A hemostatic device, method of making, and method of using for internal and external applications to wounds in the body of a patient to induce hemostasis at an anatomical site.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a bone construct include providing bone marrow stromal cells on a substrate without disposing the cells within an exogenous scaffold, and culturing the cells in vitro in osteogenic media such that the cells form a confluent monolayer and detach from the substrate to form a self-organized three-dimensional bone construct. A system and method for forming a ligament construct using fibrogenic media and a system and method for forming a functionally integrated bone-ligament construct are also provided.

Abstract: The invention concerns methods for automated culture of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) such as human ESCs. In some aspects, methods of the invention employ optimized culture media and limited proteolytic treatment of cells to separate cell clusters for expansion. Automated systems for passage and expansion of ESCs are also provided.

Abstract: A hybrid tissue scaffold is provided which comprises a porous primary scaffold having a plurality of pores and a porous secondary scaffold having a plurality of pores, wherein the secondary scaffold resides in the pores of the primary scaffold to provide a hybrid scaffold. The pores of the porous primary scaffold may have a pore size in a range of 0.50 mm to 5.0 mm, and the pores of the porous secondary scaffold may have a pore size in a range of 50 ?m to 600 ?m. The primary scaffold may provide 5% to 30% of a volume of the hybrid scaffold.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of co-culturing mammalian muscle cells and mammalian motoneurons. The method comprises preparing one or more carriers coated with a covalently bonded monolayer of trimethoxysilylpropyl diethylenetriamine (DETA); suspending isolated fetal mammalian skeletal muscle cells in serum-free medium according to medium composition 1; suspending isolated fetal mammalian spinal motoneurons in serum-free medium according to medium composition 1; plating the suspended muscle cells onto the one or more carriers at a predetermined density and allowing the muscle cells to attach; plating the suspended motoneurons at a predetermined density onto the one or more carriers and allowing the motoneurons to attach; covering the one or more carriers with a mixture of medium composition 1 and medium composition 2; and incubating the carriers covered in the media mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biopolymer and a cell-harvesting scaffold comprising same, as well as the associated cell-harvesting method that allows said harvesting to be performed in a simple and effective manner by reducing the culture temperature. The present invention also relates to a method for synthesising said biopolymer.

Abstract: Provided are a method capable of evaluating adherent cells under an environment similar to an in vivo environment by a culture method similar to a two-dimensional culture, and applications thereof. An adherent cell culture method uses, as a culture chamber (10), a chamber in which two or more culture spaces each having an equivalent diameter (D) that is 1 to 5 times the diameter of a desired spheroid and each having a height (H) that is 0.3 to 5 times the equivalent diameter are arranged and a surface of each of the culture spaces has a water contact angle of 45 degrees or less. Spheroids of adherent cells are cultured in the respective culture spaces (11) arranged in the culture chamber (10).

Abstract: A cell culture product is provided for propagating embryonic stem cells, and maintaining their self-renewal and pluripotency characteristics for extended periods of time in culture. The cell culturing product includes a substrate; and a coating thereon deposited from a coating solution. The coating solution includes a mixture of extracellular matrix proteins and an aqueous solvent, wherein the total protein concentration in the coating solution is about 10 ?g/ml to about 1 mg/ml.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of manufacturing bioactive gels from ECM material, i.e., gels which retain bioactivity, and can serve as scaffolds for preclinical and clinical tissue engineering and regenerative medicine approaches to tissue reconstruction. The manufacturing methods take advantage of a new recognition that bioactive gels from ECM material can be created by digesting particularized ECM material in an alkaline environment and neutralizing to provide bioactive gels.

Abstract: Techniques for generating microtissues, including a micro-fabricated platform including at least one micro-well including a plurality of micro-cantilevers coupled thereto and surrounded by a plurality of ridges, each micro-cantilever including a cap at a terminal end thereof. The platform can be immersed in a suspension of cells. The suspension of cells can be driven into at least one micro-well, and the ridges can be de-wetted to remove excess suspension and isolate the suspension of cells in each micro-well. The cells can be driven in the suspension of each micro-well toward a top surface of the suspension, which can be polymerized to form a matrix. The cells can be cultivated to spontaneously compact the matrix such that the micro-cantilevers anchor and constrain the contracting matrix to form a band of microtissue that spans across the micro-cantilevers.

Abstract: Methods of regenerating tissue using progenitor cells in combination with primary cells from a target tissue are disclosed. In particular, progenitor cells catalyze proliferation and tissue production by primary cells allowing the use of fewer primary cells from a target tissue for effective tissue regeneration. Cell-based therapies combining progenitor cells and primary cells can be used for repair and regeneration of damaged tissue and organs for treating bodily injuries and degenerative diseases. For example, adipose-derived stem cells and neonatal articular chondrocytes, co-encapsulated in mixed or bilayered cultures in a hydrogel comprising chondroitin sulfate methacrylate and poly(ethylene)glycol diacrylate, generated cartilage that could be used for treatment of traumatic injuries or diseases involving cartilage degeneration.

Abstract: Methods are described for the isolation and selection of a heterogeneous bone marrow cell population, called NCS-01, that is effective at treating neurodegeneration. For example, NCS-01 cells are shown to treat neurodegeneration caused by ischemia. In vivo studies demonstrate that selected NCS-01 cell populations treat neurodegeneration in a standard rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) animal model under conditions of transient or permanent total arterial occlusion. These studies also disclose that when the neurodegeneration is caused by ischemic stroke, combining the administration of a selected NCS-01 cell population with thrombolytic agents and/or mechanical methods of clot removal leads to a decrease in the volume of infarction caused by acute onset neurodegeneration. The disclosed cell therapy promises to make a significant clinical impact on patient survival after stroke.

Abstract: A method for culturing neural cells using a culture medium is provided. Each neural cell includes a neural cell body and at least one neurite branched from the neural cell body. The culture medium includes a substrate and a carbon nanotube structure located on the substrate. A surface of the carbon nanotube structure is polarized to form a polar surface. The neural cells are cultured on the polar surface to grow neurites along the carbon nanotube wires. The carbon nanotube structure includes a number of carbon nanotube wires spaced apart from each other. A distance between adjacent carbon nanotube wires is greater than or equal to a diameter of the neural cell body.

Abstract: A tissue scaffold includes a first film having a plurality of cell openings and a second film adjacent the first film and having a plurality of cell openings larger than the cell openings of the first film. The cell openings of the first film interconnect with the cell openings of the second film to define pathways extending through the first and second films.

Abstract: A nanostructure composed of a plurality of peptides, each peptide containing at least one aromatic amino acid, whereby one or more of these peptides is end-capping modified, is disclosed. The nanostructure can take a tubular, fibrillar, planar or spherical shape, and can encapsulate, entrap or be coated by other materials. Methods of preparing the nanostructure, and devices and methods utilizing same are also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to placental membrane preparations and the methods of preparing and using thereof. In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to a placental membrane preparation. In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of producing a placental membrane preparation. In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of treating cartilage using placental membrane preparations.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions comprising decellularized bone marrow extracellular matrix and uses thereof. Methods for repairing or regenerating defective, diseased, damaged or ischemic tissues or organs in a subject, preferably a human, using the decellularized bone marrow extracellular matrix of the invention are also provided. The invention is further directed to a medical device, preferably a stent or an artificial heart, and biocompatible materials, preferably a tissue regeneration scaffold, comprising decellularized bone marrow extracellular matrix for implantation into a subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to supports and scaffolds for cell and tissue engineering. The supports disclosed herein are composed of a thermally responsive material, containing pillars, that is coated with an acrylic polymer, thereby imparting an amphipathic matrix foundation. When exposed to a change in temperature, the coated support reacts by facilitating or repelling hydromolecular interactions. Further disclosed herein are methods for making hydrogels that can support tissue growth.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods of making stable electrically active adult neurons from adult neural tissue. The disclosed compositions can be used with microelectrode arrays in vitro to represent in vivo neural function for drug discovery and for studying neuronal degenerative diseases, neuronal development, and neuronal regeneration.

Abstract: Compositions of the invention for regenerating defective or absent myocardium comprise an emulsified or injectable extracellular matrix composition. The composition may also include an extracellular matrix scaffold component of any formulation, and further include added cells, proteins, or other components to optimize the regenerative process and restore cardiac function.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for modulating the growth, development and repair of bone, cartilage or other connective tissue. Devices and stimulus waveforms are provided to differentially modulate the behavior of osteoblasts, chondrocytes and other connective tissue cells to promote proliferation, differentiation, matrix formation or mineralization for in vitro or in vivo applications. Continuous-mode and pulse-burst-mode stimulation of cells with charge-balanced signals may be used. Bone, cartilage and other connective tissue growth is stimulated in part by nitric oxide release through electrical stimulation and may be modulated through co-administration of NO donors and NO synthase inhibitors. Bone, cartilage and other connective tissue growth is stimulated in part by release of BMP-2 and BMP-7 in response to electrical stimulation to promote differentiation of cells.

Abstract: Compositions of the invention for regenerating defective or absent myocardium comprise an emulsified or injectable extracellular matrix composition. The composition may also include an extracellular matrix scaffold component of any formulation, and further include added cells, proteins, or other components to optimize the regenerative process and restore cardiac function.

Abstract: The present invention relates to injectable compositions comprising biocompatible, hydrophilic, non-toxic and substantially spherical microspheres associated with stem cells useful for tissue construction and generation. The invention also relates to methods of tissue construction and generation, for the treatment of various tissue damage and defects, using the injectable compositions.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a 3D scaffold includes: a plotter generating a microfiber structure; an electrospinning unit installed to be adjacent to the plotter along a first direction and spinning nanofiber in an internal space or on a surface of the microfiber structure to form a nanofiber web; a collection table reciprocating a lower portion of the plotter and that of the electrospinning unit along the first direction to allow the microfiber structure to be stacked thereon by the plotter and allow the nanofiber web to be formed thereon by the electrospinning unit; and a first guide rail allowing the collection table to be mounted thereon and guiding the collection table mounted thereon to reciprocate along the first direction.

Abstract: Materials and methods are disclosed for controlling vasculogenesis using building blocks of a collagen matrix and endothelial colony forming cells (ECFC). The building blocks may be isolated by fractionating an acid soluble Type I collagen. The building blocks comprising monomers and/or oligomers may be recombined in desired ratios to alter the matrix microenvironment and to influence ECFC behavior.

Abstract: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from which pyrogen has been removed are provided. PHAs which have been chemically modified to enhance physical and/or chemical properties, for targeting or to modify biodegradability or clearance by the reticuloendothelial system (RES), are described. Methods for depyrogenating PHA polymers prepared by bacterial fermentation processes are also provided, wherein pyrogens are removed from the polymers without adversely impacting the polymers' inherent chemical structures and physical properties. PHAs with advantageous processing characteristics, including low melting points and/or solubility in non-toxic solvents, are also described. The PHAs are suitable for use in in vivo applications such as in tissue coatings, stents, sutures, tubing, bone, other prostheses, bone or tissue cements, tissue regeneration devices, wound dressings, drug delivery, and for diagnostic and prophylactic uses.

Abstract: Screening assays and methods of performing such assays are provided. In certain examples, the assays and methods may be designed to determine whether or not two or more species can associate with each other. In some examples, the assays and methods may be used to determine if a known antigen binds to an unknown monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and materials for influencing proliferation of stem cells. Specifically exemplified herein are compositions comprising cerium oxide nanoparticles which can be used to stimulate proliferation of stem cells under common culture conditions, or which can be utilized to improve therapeutic outcomes.

Abstract: A basement membrane having a barrier function is formed by culturing alveolar epithelial cells or vascular endothelial cells on a fibrous collagen matrix coated with a polymer having a sugar chain that can localize a receptor that has an activity to accumulate a basement membrane component on the basal surface of the cells having an ability to form a basement membrane. A reconstructed artificial tissue is obtained by seeding and culturing desired homogeneous or heterogeneous cells on the basement membrane specimen constructed by the following process: (i) the cells having an ability to form a basement membrane adhered onto a support structure through a basement membrane are treated with a surface active agent; (ii) the lipid component of cells is lysed; (iii) the mixture of an alkaline solution and a protease inhibitor is used to lyse the protein remained on the surface of the basement membrane of the cells.

Abstract: A method for preparing lymphocytes characterized in that the method comprises the step of carrying out expansion in the presence of (a) fibronectin, a fragment thereof or a mixture thereof, (b) a CD3 ligand, and (c) a CD28 ligand.

Abstract: The present invention provide: a novel process for culturing animal cells and a kit for culturing animal cells, in which, even if the number of cells as sampled for biopsy is extremely small, the proliferation can sufficiently be maintained so as to enable to carry out various culture and/or tests, especially anticancer agent sensitivity tests, and the contamination with bacteria can be inhibited without damaging physiological activity of cells, especially sensitivity to anticancer agents. The process for culturing animal cells, according to the present invention, comprises the step of culturing a sample containing animal cells obtained from living body tissue in order to subject the sample to further culture and/or a test, with the process being characterized in that a culture medium is used wherein the culture medium has a proliferating action and physiological activity-retaining action on the animal cells, and further has a killing action and/or multiplication-inhibition action on bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices to obtain multicellular arrangements in stable, stationary and reproducible spatial configuration, and optionally with controlled internal cell organization, methods for preparing such devices, methods for studying the cells' shapes, the cells' architectures, the cells' mechanical equilibrium, the cell-cell interaction, the cell movement and migration, the cell differentiation, the global internal cells' organizations, the cells' polarities and division, and/or any function of cells, methods for screening compounds of interest which enhance or inhibit specific cell functions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solid support suitable for supporting endothelial cell growth which has one or more regions of microstructure incorporated onto the growing surface thereof as well as to such supports having endothelial cells attached thereto. The invention further relates to methods of culturing endothelial cells and directing tubule formation using these supports.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides tissue supports and methods for preparing a cartilage composition for repairing cartilage defects, which is prepared by expanding and integrating small cartilage tissue pieces derived from donor or engineered tissue. The methods and supports described herein promote cell migration and integration of neighboring tissue pieces in culture to form the cartilage composition. Methods of cartilage repair using the cartilage composition are also described.

Abstract: Compositions of the invention for regenerating defective or absent myocardium comprise an emulsified or injectable extracellular matrix composition. The composition may also include an extracellular matrix scaffold component of any formulation, and further include added cells, proteins, or other components to optimize the regenerative process and restore cardiac function.

Abstract: A method of enriching stem or progenitor cells that includes growing a heterogeneous cell sample comprising stem and/or progenitor cells on a first substrate that is hydrophobic and has an elastic modulus less than about 100 MPa; recovering the heterogeneous cell sample from the first substrate; growing the recovered heterogeneous cell sample on a second substrate that is hydrophilic and has an elastic modulus higher than the elastic modulus of the first substrate to produce a subpopulation of nonadherent cells and a subpopulation of adherent cells; and recovering the nonadherent cell subpopulation, which is enriched for stem and/or progenitor cells.

Abstract: Compositions of the invention for regenerating defective or absent myocardium comprise an emulsified or injectable extracellular matrix composition. The composition may also include an extracellular matrix scaffold component of any formulation, and further include added cells, proteins, or other components to optimize the regenerative process and restore cardiac function.

Abstract: A method for producing a porous calcium polyphosphate structure, which comprises the steps of mixing monocalcium phosphate (MCP) with silicic acid, and sintering the mixture at a predefined temperature or temperatures for a predefined time, after which the porous calcium polyphosphate is obtained. The method allows a porous biomaterial with a controllable porosity to be obtained, and which also has the ability to activate the platelets in a plasma rich in platelets and cause the release of growth factors from the platelets.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of generating and devices of patterned soft substrates, on which cells may be seeded, as well as methods of using these substrates. Devices containing these patterned soft substrates are also provided.

Abstract: Materials for culturing cardiovascular tissues wherein a sponge made of a bioabsorbable material is reinforced with a reinforcement made of a bioabsorbable material.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for culturing cells, termed a microscale cell culture analog (?CCA), is provided. The microfluidic device allows multiple cell or tissue types to be cultured in a physiologically relevant environment, facilitates high-throughput operation and can be used for drug discovery. The microfluidic device uses gravity-induced fluidic flow, eliminating the need for a pump and preventing formation of air bubbles. Reciprocating motion between a pair of connected reservoirs is used to effect the gravity-induced flow in microfluidic channels. Bacterial contamination is reduced and high throughput enabled by eliminating a pump. The microfluidic device integrates a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model to enable PK-PD analyses on-chip. This combined in vitro/in silico system enables prediction of drug toxicity in a more realistic manner than conventional in vitro systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biomaterial containing calcium phosphate, in particular hydroxyapatite or a material containing hydroxyapatite, such as biphasic calcium phosphates and calcium phosphate cements, and to the use thereof for the production of an implant or for fitting a prosthesis for the purpose of bone tissue regeneration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for performing a biological test under conditions in which an artificially prepared cell pattern with initial position coordinates that can be determined is three-dimensionally cultured within a gelled matrix. The present invention relates to a biological test method that comprises testing a biological indicator with reference to at least one selected from the group consisting of cell proliferation, cell movement, and cell differentiation in a cell pattern substantially embedded in gel. The present invention also relates to a kit for the biological test method.

Abstract: Compositions of the invention for regenerating defective or absent myocardium comprise an emulsified or injectable extracellular matrix composition. The composition may also include an extracellular matrix scaffold component of any formulation, and further include added cells, proteins, or other components to optimize the regenerative process and restore cardiac function.