Abstract: A microchip is provided that forms cellular tissues having uniform shapes and sizes and that can culture the formed cellular tissues for long periods of time. The cellular tissue microchip comprises a plurality of cell-retaining cavities (12) for retaining cells, wherein a bottom surface (20) of the cell-retaining cavities has one adhesive region (30) that exhibits cellular adhesiveness and a non-adhesive region (32) that surrounds the adhesive region (30) and that exhibits cellular non-adhesiveness.

Abstract: There is described a material comprising tapes, ribbons, fibrils or fibres characterized in that each of the ribbons, fibrils or fibres have an antiparallel arrangement of peptides in a ?-sheet tape-like substructure.

Abstract: An embryonic stem cell line derived from a nucleus-transferred oocyte prepared by transferring a nucleus of a human somatic cell into an enucleated human oocyte may differentiate into various desired cell types.

Abstract: A thiol-yne polymeric material and methods for producing said polymers are disclosed. The material is produced by the radically mediated polymerization of monomers having alkyne and thiol functional groups. The alkyne moiety, internal or terminal, may react with one or two thiols. Degradable monomers may be used to form degradable polymers.

Abstract: A method for the construction of arrays from self-assembling monolayers is described. The arrays have particular utility for the screening of peptides ligands that can foster the growth of cells in culture. This technique has been used to identify peptide ligands that foster the growth of human stem cells, which otherwise require an extracellular matrix in order to grow in an undifferentiated state. This also makes possible an assay to identify other such peptides.

Abstract: Methods and materials for making complex, living, vascularized tissues for organ and tissue replacement, especially complex and/or thick structures, such as liver tissue is provided. Tissue lamina is made in a system comprising an apparatus having (a) a first mold or polymer scaffold, a semi-permeable membrane, and a second mold or polymer scaffold, wherein the semi-permeable membrane is disposed between the first and second molds or polymer scaffolds, wherein the first and second molds or polymer scaffolds have means defining microchannels positioned toward the semi-permeable membrane, wherein the first and second molds or polymer scaffolds are fastened together; and (b) animal cells. Methods for producing complex, three-dimensional tissues or organs from tissue lamina are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of cell biology of stem cells, more specifically the directed differentiation of pluripotent or multipotent stem cells, including human embryonic stem cells (hESC), somatic stem cells, and induced human pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) using novel culture conditions. Specifically, methods are provided for obtaining neural tissue, floor plate cells, and placode including induction of neural plate development in hESCs for obtaining midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons, motorneurons, and sensory neurons. Further, neural plate tissue obtained using methods of the present inventions are contemplated for use in co-cultures with other tissues as inducers for shifting differentiation pathways, i.e. patterning.

Abstract: An anterior ocular segment related cell sheet or three-dimensional structure that have only a few structural defects as they have been recovered retaining the intercellular desmosome structure and the basement membrane-like protein between cell and substrate. The anterior ocular segment related cell sheet or three-dimensional structure is produced by a process comprising the steps of cultivating cells on a cell culture support comprising a substrate having its surface covered with a temperature responsive polymer having an upper or lower critical dissolution temperature of 0-80° C.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition comprising gelatin and a cross-linking agent, for use in biological regenerative methods, which composition can be administered to a target area of the body while ensuring that the suspended cells and/or the growth factors remain in the target area of the body and at the same time eliminating the need for the patient to maintain the treated body area immobilized for unreasonable periods, is disclosed. A method is also disclosed, wherein (i) the gelatin and the cross-linking agent are mixed with each other to form the cross-linking therapeutic composition which is then administered to the target area; or (ii) the gelatin and the cross-linking agent are made available in separate form and are administered, simultaneously or one after the other, to the target area while forming the cross-linking therapeutic composition.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an improved system for culturing human pluripotent stem cells. Traditionally, pluripotent stem cells are cultured on a layer of feeder cells (such as mouse embryonic fibroblasts) to prevent them from differentiating. In the system described here, the role of feeder cells is replaced by components added to the culture environment that support rapid proliferation without differentiation. Effective features are a suitable support structure for the cells, and an effective medium that can be added fresh to the culture without being preconditioned by another cell type. Culturing human embryonic stem cells in fresh medium according to this invention causes the cells to expand surprisingly rapidly, while retaining the ability to differentiate into cells representing all three embryonic germ layers. This new culture system allows for bulk proliferation of pPS cells for commercial production of important products for use in drug screening and human therapy.

Abstract: An in-vivo bioreactor system includes a base, a chamber, an access member, an inlet port, an outlet port, and a transparent viewing member. The base includes an internal base cavity. The chamber attaches and detaches from the base. The chamber includes an internal chamber cavity which is in communication with the internal base cavity when the chamber is attached to the base. The access member when disposed in an open position allows access to the internal base cavity or the internal chamber cavity from outside the in-vivo bioreactor system. The inlet port is in communication with the internal base cavity or the internal chamber cavity. The outlet port is in communication with the internal base cavity or the internal chamber cavity. The transparent viewing member allows viewing of the internal base cavity or the internal chamber cavity from outside the in-vivo bioreactor system.

Abstract: In one aspect, films that can serve as a model or mimic for the basal lamina are described herein. In some embodiments, a film described herein comprises a top surface and a bottom surface in facing opposition to the top surface, wherein the film is formed from Type I collagen and one or more additional extracellular matrix proteins. The additional extracellular matrix proteins, in some cases, comprise one or more of Type IV collagen, laminin, and fibronectin. Moreover, in some instances, the weight ratio of Type I collagen to the additional extracellular matrix proteins in the film is at least about 40:1.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of combining mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with an osteochondral allograft. In an embodiment, the method includes obtaining adipose tissue having MSCs with unwanted cells. The tissue is digested to form a cell suspension having MSCs and unwanted cells. The suspension is added to seed the allograft. The MSCs are allowed to attach to the allograft. There is disclosed an allograft product including MSCs with an osteochondral allograft. There is disclosed a method of combining MSCs with decellularized, morselized cartilage. In an embodiment, the method includes obtaining adipose tissue having MSCs with unwanted cells. The tissue is digested to form a cell suspension having MSCs and unwanted cells. The suspension is added to seed the cartilage. The MSCs are allowed to attach to the cartilage to. There is disclosed an allograft product including MSCs with morselized cartilage. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a benzamide derivative represented by formula (1): wherein k1 represents an integer from 0-4, m1 represents an integer from 1-100, and n1 represents an integer from 1-6. In addition, R1 represents a hydrocarbon group with 8-22 carbon atoms bonded to an oxygen atom wherein the oxygen atom is bonded to the adjacent ring of said derivative; R2 represents H or a hydrocarbon group with 1-22 carbon atoms bonded to an oxygen atom wherein the oxygen atom is bonded to the adjacent ring of said derivative; R3 represents H or a hydrocarbon group with 1-22 carbon atoms bonded to an oxygen atom wherein the oxygen atom is bonded to the adjacent ring of said derivative; and R2 and R3 are not H at the same time.

Abstract: Silk is purified to eliminate immunogenic components (particularly sericin) and is used to form fabric that is used to form tissue-supporting prosthetic devices for implantation. The fabrics can carry functional groups, drugs, and other biological reagents. Applications include hernia repair, tissue wall reconstruction, and organ support, such as bladder slings. The silk fibers are arranged in parallel and, optionally, intertwined (e.g., twisted) to form a construct; sericin may be extracted at any point during the formation of the fabric, leaving a construct of silk fibroin fibers having excellent tensile strength and other mechanical properties.

Abstract: Isolated mixed populations of fetal pulmonary cells, engineered three-dimensional tissue constructs of these cells, and uses thereof in identifying therapeutic agents which augment, repair, and/or replace dysfunctional native lung and to perform in vitro studies such as pharmaceutical screening, models for lung development and disease and characterization of chemical or mechanical injury are provided.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a composition useful as bone substitute comprising one or more calcium-phosphate compounds in association with an analgesic. It also refers to a preparation process of said composition, a preparation process of a drug-combined device comprising said composition, the drug combined device thus obtained, a kit comprising said composition and the use of said composition for the preparation of a drug-combined device useful for filling a bony defect caused in the iliac crest by collection of auto-graft bone, as a scaffold for tissue engineering and to produce a dental or bony implant.

Abstract: Methods for treating tissue matrices and tissue matrices produced according to the methods are provided. The methods can include treating a tissue matrix with a proteolytic enzyme to produce a desired pliability of the tissue matrix and/or to control the immunogenicity of the tissue matrix. The methods can also comprise performing an assay to determine if contacting the at least one collagen-containing tissue matrix with a proteolytic enzyme has altered the at least one collagen-containing tissue matrix to reduce a human immune response to the tissue matrix.

Abstract: Thus, provided herein are pericyte progenitor cells (e.g., isolated pericyte progenitor cells), methods for generating pericyte progenitors in clinically relevant numbers for various applications applying macromolecular crowding during cell culture, and methods of using the pericyte progenitor cells.

Abstract: A hydrogel tissue engineering scaffold having microbubbles dispersed therein is disclosed. Also, a system for cell culturing including a controller and actuator to apply dynamic deformational loading to a hydrogel is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for producing hydrogels with microbubbles and for culturing cells using hydrogels with microbubbles.

Abstract: The present invention is generally in the field of neurological diseases and disorders, particular in the field of neurodegenerative diseases in which the myelin cover of nerves is lost. IL6R/IL6 chimera is used to promote the formation of oligodendrocytes from embryonic stem cells for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases or posttraumatic nerve damage.

Abstract: Some aspects of this disclosure provide tissue constructs comprising a decellularized biomatrix and a neoplastic cell cultured within the biomatrix, as well as methods, reagents, and bioreactors for generating and using such tissue constructs. Tissue constructs as provided herein resemble clinically presenting tumors more closely than conventional in vitro and in vivo tumor models in various aspects, and can be used, for example, as tumor models for research and for the identification of anti-cancer agents.

Abstract: The invention provides articles of manufacture comprising biocompatible nanostructures comprising nanotubes and nanopores for, e.g., organ, tissue and/or cell growth, e.g., for bone, kidney or liver growth, and uses thereof, e.g., for in vitro testing, in vivo implants, including their use in making and using artificial organs, and related therapeutics. The invention provides lock-in nanostructures comprising a plurality of nanopores or nanotubes, wherein the nanopore or nanotube entrance has a smaller diameter or size than the rest (the interior) of the nanopore or nanotube. The invention also provides dual structured biomaterial comprising micro- or macro-pores and nanopores. The invention provides biomaterials having a surface comprising a plurality of enlarged diameter nanopores and/or nanotubes.

Abstract: The invention relates to cell support compositions comprising a basement membrane extract isolated from cardiac or smooth muscle. The invention also relates to methods of using the cell support compositions for supporting cellular functions.

Abstract: The invention provides for methods and materials to decellularize a solid organ and to recellularize such a decellularized organ to thereby generate a solid organ.

Abstract: A composition for repairing cartilage tissues includes a scaffold and a plurality of endothelial progenitor cells. The endothelial progenitor cells adhere on the scaffold. A method of making the composition for repairing cartilage tissue is also disclosed. This is advantageous for safely and quickly repairing cartilage tissues by using the composition and the manufacturing method thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing a three-dimensional tissue by cultivating eucaryotic cells by introducing the cells into a matrix and cultivating the cells within the matrix in a cell culture medium within a cell culture vessel under controlled dissolved oxygen conditions of the cell culture medium. The matrix contains a support containing an optical oxygen sensor, which is an oxygen-sensitive dye, which upon irradiation with an excitation wavelength changes its emission characteristics in dependence on the dissolved oxygen concentration in the surrounding medium, including a dye phosphorescing upon irradiation of an excitation wavelength, which phosphorescence is quenched by dissolved oxygen.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a tissue-engineered construct, such as a heart valve, comprising the steps of providing a-cell-seeded scaffold in a bioreactor chamber which bioreactor chamber is divided by the cell-seeded scaffold into a first compartment and a second compartment, subjecting the cell-seeded scaffold to a flow of nutrient medium within the bioreactor chamber for developing the cell-seeded scaffold to a tissue structure and next to the tissue construct, applying a dynamic pressure difference to the developing tissue structure by the flow of nutrient medium to induce dynamic strain on the tissue structure.

Abstract: A dynamically alterable cell support may be altered at a large scale to induce mechanical removal of adherent cells in culture without the use of a removal solution. For example, adherent cells may be cultured on an elastic support with one or more textured surface regions and removed by expansion/contraction of the support. Mechanical removal of adherent cells may reduce or minimize damage to cell surface markers, cellular morphology, and/or cellular physiology associated with the detachment and resuspension of cultured adherent cells.

Abstract: Provided is a culture sheet which enables a technique for forming a three-dimensional tissue having uniform diameter without applying any chemical on the surface of a culture substrate. On the culture sheet (150) of the culture substrate, a plurality of holes (152) are formed and nanopillars (153), which are capable of controlling the adhesiveness and migration ability of cells, are formed on the bottom surface of each hole (152), said bottom face serving as a culture surface. The culture surface of each hole (151) is provided with a partition wall (152) and the internal nanopillars (153) are formed in the vicinity of the center of the hole (151). Owing to this configuration, the interaction among the disseminated cells can be restricted so that uniformly sized three-dimensional structures of the cells can be formed.

Abstract: Techniques for the production of flow-oriented collagen gels using hydrodynamics to influence the assembly of collagen fibers. Highly concentrated monomeric solutions of collagen are subjected to shear and extensional flow as they are drawn onto a substrate to induce fibrillogenesis under a high Ph buffer. The produced gel captures the flow induced ordering of molecular collagen upon fibril formation. The depositing or the induction of fibrillogenosis occurs without the application of a magnetic field to the concentration of collagen. These highly oriented 3D scaffolds are capable inducing contact guidance and guiding mammalian cell growth. The collagen fibers mimic the construction of in vivo fibers with the characteristic D-periodicity and the integrin receptors on the fibroblasts respond to this organization. The industrial applications of three-dimensional collagen gels as a biomaterial are widespread from drug delivery to burn repair or tissue engineering system.

Abstract: A medical device, said medical device, comprises: a first component having a non-biological material; a second component having a cloned biological material, said second component being attached to said first component, wherein said first component and said second component are operatively associated in a non-living medical device for at least one of treatment, diagnosis, cure, mitigation and prevention of disease, injury, handicap or condition in a living organism. In another aspect, a method comprises: preparing a cloned biological material from a tissue or an organ; attaching said biological material to a medical device; interfacing said biological material with the non-biological material; providing treatment, diagnosis, cure, mitigation and prevention of disease, injury, handicap or condition in a living organism.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to purified preparations of dermal mesenchymal stem cells that are characterized by the cell surface expression of the ABCB5 P-glycoprotein. The cells may be used for any purpose that mesenchymal stem cells from other course are used. For instance they may be administered to treat an organ transplant recipient to improve allograft survival or as a treatment to patients with autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for preparing and characterizing multipotential mesenchymal stem cell aggregates. The invention further provides methods for using stem cell aggregates of the invention.

Abstract: A normal regenerated tissue is formed by exposing to radiation a connective tissue or a supporting tissue originating in an organ to thereby form a feeder layer and then transplanting epithelial cells thereon to form a stratified structure. By conveniently and surely providing regenerated tissue by the 3-dimensional culture with the use of a human-origin normal tissue as a base, it is possible to construct systems for assessing effects and side effects of chemicals such as drugs or assessing sensitivities thereof with the use of regenerated tissues as models of corresponding tissues respectively.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles for selective three dimensional (3D) biopatterning are disclosed. A biological target may be imaged and a selected area of the image may define a desired pattern for guiding the emission of EM radiation into the biological target. Two or more groups of photosensitive elements responsive to different activation wavelengths may be provided. The photosensitive elements may be selectively activated on or within the biological target based on location and activation wavelength in order to guide cell differentiation, adhesion of growth factors to a scaffold, release of growth factors, and/or deletion of cells.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for using microfluidics to generate bubbles and using the generated bubbles to construct scaffolds and cell-holding structures for culturing biological samples or analytes. In one implementation, a scaffold for growing cells is provided to include a matrix of interconnected cavities formed from mixing a gas and a liquid containing a cross linkable material to produce a matrix of gas bubbles of substantially the same size and cross linking the cross linkable material to form a structure in which cells are grown. In another implementation, a scaffold apparatus for growing cells includes a ball of a cross linked material forming an exterior shell that encloses to form a hollow interior inside the ball and biological samples embedded in the external shell.

Abstract: An interpenetrating biodegradable polymeric matrix hydrogel and the use thereof to support, encapsulate, convey and release several types of cells under conditions which allow the cells to be kept alive, grow and interconnect. The hydrogel may be used to prepare implants for integrally or partially regenerating, reconstructing and/or replacing damaged, dead or no longer functional tissues, in particular at the central nervous system or spinal marrow level. In such use, the biodegradability of the hydrogel allows a progressive release of the conveyed cells in order to promote their integration, even functional, with the surrounding tissue. The hydrogel may also be employed to support cells, for example, neural cells such as neuronal cells, on measuring devices, specifically realized for monitoring several parameters of cell activity, also during pharmacological and bio-mechanical tests.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for improved cell-based therapies for retinal degeneration and for differentiating human embryonic stem cells and human embryo-derived into retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells and other retinal progenitor cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and methods for culturing stem cells, and in particular, for culturing ocular stem cells and the use of stem cells cultured using the devices and methods of the invention for the treatment of diseases.

Abstract: A method is disclosed herein for treating a polymeric surface to define an improved cell culture surface. The method includes the steps of: coating the polymeric surface with a hydrogel; and attaching proteins to the hydrogel-coated surface. Advantageously, a method is provided which consistently produces improved cell culture surfaces that generally avoid bare spots and possible undesired protein absorption or cell differentiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for mimicking an in vivo environment for culturing cells in vitro. The in vivo mimicking environment is based on the generation of a tissue-specific extracellular matrix wherein the matrix provides a substrate for which the cultured cell originated from. The tissue-specific extracellular matrix can further comprise a component of a whole tissue-specific homogenate.

Abstract: Anembryonic, de novo, trophoblast vesicles are further characterized by (a) having the functional capacity for implantation, (b) being composed of a substantially perfect sphere having a hollow, acellular center, (c) having a cellular rim containing viable cells that are proliferating, and (d) having numerous tight-junctions among the viable cells in the rim. Embryos can be made by seeding trophoblast cells in a non-adherent cell aggregation device; incubating the cells in the device until the cells form functional anembryonic de novo trophoblast vesicles; and injecting an inner cell mass or embryonic stem cells into the functional anembryonic de novo trophoblast vesicles to thereby make the embryos.

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. Methods for regenerating defective or absent myocardium apply a composition to a site of myocardium in need of regeneration using a delivery mode appropriate for the particular formulation.

Abstract: Synthetic surfaces suitable for culturing stem cell derived cardiomyocytes contain acrylate polymers formed from one or more acrylate monomers. The acrylate surfaces, in many cases, are suitable for culturing stem cell derived cardiomyocytes in chemically defined media.

Abstract: The present invention is of methods of establishing and propagating human embryonic stem cell lines using feeder cells-free, xeno-free culture systems and stem cells which are capable of being maintained in an undifferentiated, pluripotent and proliferative state in culture which is free of xeno contaminants and feeder cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides arrays comprising polypeptides associated with extracellular matrix that can be used to isolate, differentiate, or culture certain cell types including stem cells, cancer cells, and/or primary hepatocytes. The array comprises at least a pair of polypeptides that comprise a polypeptide associated with extracellular matrix or functional fragments thereof. The invention also provides for methods of diagnosing and/or prognosing a certain disease or disorder through contacting a cell sample from a patient with an array comprising at least a pair of polypeptides that comprise a polypeptide sequence associated with extracellular matrix or functional fragments thereof.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a cell culture support making the detachment of a cell sheet easy as well as enabling the formation of a uniform cell sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel bone graft and methods for producing said graft. Said bone graft can be used for surgical, plastic and/or cosmetic bone replacement for a patient in need thereof. The bone graft is made of a scaffold or matrix of sheet material having a 3-dimensional pattern of a continuous network of voids and/or indentations for enhancing new bone growth.

Abstract: An improved method of implanting cells in the body of a patient includes positioning viable cells on a support structure. One or more blood vessels may be connected with the support structure to provide a flow of blood through the support structure. A support structure may be positioned at any desired location in a patient's body. The support structure may be configured to replace an entire organ or a portion of an organ. An organ or portion of an organ may be removed from a body cells and/or other tissue is removed to leave a collagen matrix support structure having a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the organ or portion of an organ. Alternatively, a synthetic support structure may be formed. The synthetic support structure may have a configuration corresponding to a configuration of an entire organ or only a portion of an organ.