Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising aligned fibers of electrospun PNIPAAm and poly (?-caprolactone) (PCL) (denoted PNIPAAm/PCL fibers). The PNIPAAm/PCL compositions enable enhanced growth and detachment of intact anisotropic cell sheets. The compositions do not require chemical modification or resource-intensive techniques, thus saving time and expense, and have the potential to generate tissue-specific, aligned cell sheets for transplant studies.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system, including methods and apparatus, for culturing, monitoring, and/or analyzing organoids. In an exemplary method of organoid culture, the method may comprise disposing a scaffold in a receptacle having an open side. A sealing member may be bonded to the open side of the receptacle to create a chamber. An organoid may be formed in the chamber using the scaffold. Fluid and/or at least one substance may be introduced into the chamber from an overlying reservoir for contact with the organoid.

Abstract: Provided is yarn for a cell culture scaffold. The yarn for a cell culture scaffold according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes slitting yarn produced by cutting a compressed nanofiber web to a predetermined width. Accordingly, by creating microenvironments suitable for migration, proliferation and differentiation of cells, cell viability may be enhanced and cells may be three-dimensionally proliferated. In addition, a scaffold according to the present invention has a mechanical strength sufficient for prevention of disruption of the scaffold which occurs during cell culture, such that cells may be stably proliferated. Further, the scaffold according to the present invention uses slitting yarn formed of the compressed nanofiber web, thereby having pores with various sizes, and therefore cell proliferation and cell viability may be enhanced by creation of an extracellular matrix-like environment.

Abstract: A mixed acrylate-siloxane polymer can be used to create three-dimensional (3D) structures of arbitrary shape via nanolithography. Treatment of such structures with amine (such as diamine) makes them permissive for neuronal cell adhesion and growth without need of additional modification such as poly-lysine (D or L) nor laminin.

Abstract: Described herein is a multilayer article comprising: a. a polymer substrate comprising an abstractable atom; and b. a hydrogel coating thereon wherein the hydrogel coating has a water content of at least 10 wt % and is covalently bonded to the polymer substrate, and wherein the hydrogel coating is derived from an aqueous composition having a pH less than 9.5, the aqueous composition comprising: (a) a hydrophilic monomer selected from at least one of (meth)acrylate or (meth)acrylamide; (b) at least 0.1 wt % of a water-swellable clay; (c) a first initiator, wherein the first initiator is water-soluble and is a Type I photoinitiator; and (d) a second initiator, wherein the initiator is water-soluble and is a Type II photoinitiator; and (e) an acid.

Abstract: A mixed acrylate-siloxane polymer can be used to create three-dimensional (3D) structures of arbitrary shape via nanolithography. Treatment of such structures with amine (such as diamine) makes them permissive for neuronal cell adhesion and growth without need of additional modification such as poly-lysine (D or L) nor laminin.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a cell culture substrate including a block polymer including a segment having a lower critical solution temperature and a hydrophobic segment, the cell culture substrate further including an adhesive matrix, in which the adhesive matrix is an extracellular matrix and/or an adhesive synthetic matrix. Furthermore, the invention is to provide a cell culture substrate in which the extracellular matrix is at least one selected from laminin, fibronectin, vitronectin, cadherin, and fragments thereof, and/or the adhesive synthetic matrix is poly[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl) ammonium hydroxide] or an oligopeptide-carrying polymer.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a cell culture substrate including a block polymer including a segment having a lower critical solution temperature and a hydrophobic segment, in which the segment having a lower critical solution temperature has a degree of polymerization of 400 to 10,000. Also provided is a cell culture substrate, in which the hydrophobic segment is obtainable by polymerizing a monomer having a particular structure. Also provided is a cell culture substrate being laminated on a supporting medium. Furthermore, a cell culture substrate having an average film thickness of 1,000 nm or less is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell culture support comprising a substrate and a polymeric blend layer bound to the substrate. The polymeric blend layer comprises at least one thermoresponsive polymer and at least one coupling agent. The coupling agent is a non-protein coupling agent that has functional thiol, ester, epoxy, or aldehyde groups. The cell culture support further includes cells supported by the polymeric blend layer, wherein the thermoresponsive polymer provides for temperature induced detachment of the cells and/or cell sheets.

Abstract: A three-dimensional auxetic structure, comprising a plurality of adjoining hollow cells, each hollow cell having cell walls and a transversal cross section of the plurality hollow cells following a two-dimensional auxetic pattern, each cell wall comprising folding lines parallel to a plane containing the auxetic pattern such that peaks and valleys are defined in the cell walls and the cell walls being foldable along the folding lines.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a cell culture substrate including a block polymer including a segment having a lower critical solution temperature and a hydrophobic segment, the cell culture substrate further including an adhesive matrix, in which the adhesive matrix is an extracellular matrix and/or an adhesive synthetic matrix. Furthermore, the invention is to provide a cell culture substrate in which the extracellular matrix is at least one selected from laminin, fibronectin, vitronectin, cadherin, and fragments thereof, and/or the adhesive synthetic matrix is poly[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl) ammonium hydroxide] or an oligopeptide-carrying polymer.

Abstract: Described are methods, cell growth substrates, and devices that are useful in preparing cell-containing graft materials for administration to patients. Tubular passages can be defined in cell growth substrates to promote distribution of cells into the substrates. Also described are methods and devices for preparing cell-seeded graft compositions, methods and devices for preconditioning cell growth substrates prior to application of cells, and cell seeded grafts having novel substrates, and uses thereof.

Abstract: A method of culturing cells including: dividing a culture area into a center area and a plurality of peripheral areas, and designating the center area and the plurality of peripheral areas as measurement positions; calculating: a confluent rate at each of the measurement positions designated; and an average confluent rate which is an average of sum of the confluent rates at the measurement positions designated, the confluent rate being defined as a proportion of an area occupied by cells in a designated area; and determining a timing to perform a subculture of the cells, based on the confluent rate, wherein the determining of the timing further includes determining when the average confluent rate is smaller than a first threshold value, the confluent rate of the center area is larger than a second threshold value, and the second threshold value is larger than the first threshold value.

Abstract: Protein-protein imprinting of silk fibroin is introduced as a rapid, high-fidelity, and/or high-throughput method for the fabrication of nanoscale structures in silk films, through controlled manipulation of heat and/or pressure. High resolution imprinting on conformal surfaces is also demonstrated.

Abstract: The invention relates to surfaces and devices with antibacterial and antifungal properties. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a device comprising a synthetic polymer or biocomposite with antibacterial and antifungal properties, made up of nanopillared and/or micropillared surface structure. In another embodiment, the surface allows flexibility and curvature.

Abstract: A three-dimensional structure includes a plate and a three-dimensional component disposed on the plate. The three-dimensional component contains at least one first structure and at least one second structure. The first structure is an auxetic structure, and the second structure is different from the first structure. The at least one first structure and the at least one second structure are provided layer by layer along a thickness direction of the plate on the plate.

Abstract: A system for detecting rare cells in a fluid is disclosed. The system includes a substrate and a mixture disposed on the substrate and including a carrier and a thermo-responsive polymer for capture and release of the rare cells. Also disclosed is a method for detecting rare cells in a fluid using a system including a substrate and a mixture that is disposed on the substrate. The mixture includes a carrier and a thermo-responsive polymer. The method includes providing the system and introducing a sample of fluid containing the rare cells into the system such that the sample interacts with the carrier for capturing the rare cells.

Abstract: A composition for producing a fiber, containing (A) a polymer compound containing a unit structure represented by the formula (1) and a unit structure represented by the formula (2), (B) a crosslinking agent, (C) an acid compound, and (D) a solvent wherein each symbol in the formulas (1) and (2) is as described in the DESCRIPTION.

Abstract: Provided are layered cell sheets, comprising a plurality of layered cell sheets containing myoblasts, in which each cell sheet comprises cell population containing myoblasts with controlled orientations. Preferably provided are the layered cell sheets comprising a region in which the orientations of the cell population containing the myoblasts in each cell sheet are identical to each other.

Abstract: A biodegradable electroactive material can be doped with a drug and the drug can be delivered to a living subject by stimulating the material with an electrical potential. The material (in this case a polymer) has an electrochemically responsive oligoaniline block terminated with a carboxylic acid moiety and is linked to an alcohol-terminated diol by an ester bond. Advantageously, the diol is PEG-400, PEG-2000, PCL-530, or PCL-2000.

Abstract: Foam-formed collagen strands and methods for forming strands involve depositing a dispersed solution of an isolated cleaned, de-fatted, enzymatically-treated (or non-enzyme treated) human-derived collagen product having a preserved amount of its natural constituents into grooves of a grooved plate, and processing the dispersed collagen product to provide a foam-formed collagen strand. Foam-formed collagen strands may be processed into threads having a matrix of reticulated pores to conduct biological materials in and through the strand, the collagen of the collagen strand comprising isolated, enzymatically-treated human derived collagen having a preserved amount of its natural collagen constituents.

Abstract: A production method for a vinyl ether polymer of the present technology is a production method for a vinyl ether polymer, wherein a vinyl ether monomer is subjected to living radical polymerization using a polymerization initiator, a monovalent copper compound, a ligand which is coordinated to the above copper compound, and ascorbic acid in a solvent. The above solvent has a mass ratio of isopropyl alcohol to water from 30:70 to 0:100. A mass ratio of the above vinyl ether monomer to the above solvent is from 10:100 to 25:100. A molar ratio of copper in the above copper compound to the above ascorbic acid is from 1:0.5 to 1:2.

Abstract: To form a temperature-responsive surface for cell culture by simple processes, said temperature-responsive surface for cell culture being capable of efficiently culturing cells. Cultured cells or a cell sheet can be efficiently removed from the temperature-responsive surface for cell culture by merely changing the temperature of the substrate surface. To coat the substrate surface with a block copolymer, in which a water insoluble polymer segment is coupled with a temperature-responsive polymer segment, in an amount of 0.8 to 3.0 ?g/cm2 of the temperature-responsive polymer.

Abstract: A stimuli responsive nanofiber that includes a stimuli responsive polymer, such as a thermally responsive polymer, and a cross-linking agent having at least two latent reactive activatable groups. The nanofiber may also include a biologically active material or a functional polymer. The stimuli responsive nanofiber can be used to modify the surface of a substrate. When the nanofiber includes a thermally responsive polymer, the physical properties of the surface can be controlled by controlling the temperature of the system, thus controlling the ability of the surface to bind to a biologically active material of interest.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a transferable membrane having a nanometer scale dimension in thickness and pore size by non-solvent vapor-induced phase separation process, comprising spin-casting a polymer solution in a closed humid chamber and controlling the relative humidity (RH) of the chamber using at least one supersaturated salts solution whereby the density of the pores are controlled. Also provided is a TNT membrane prepared by the present method and its use. The present membrane can be advantageously used as co-culture platform facilitating versatile and controllable cell co-culture assays and further allowing the quantitative analysis of paracrine communications between cells for example between cancer cells and different types of stromal cells by providing an in vivo-like environment, which can offer more in-vivo-like results to identify key signaling molecules for therapeutic targets of a disease.

Abstract: A method of forming a matrix of aligned nanofibres of elevated pore size and porosity comprises spraying a polymer solution towards a rotating drum so as to form nanofibres which are collected on the drum. The matrix can be used to form artificial tissue by removing the matrix from the drum, depositing cells onto the matrix and allowing the cells to form artificial tissue. Such artificial tissue finds use in the treatment of disease or damaged tissue, and in particular in the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: A three-dimensional cell culture system for an imaging system to observe a cell image includes at least two cell culture layers formed by a solution having a photo-polymerizable monomer, a bio-molecule, an acoustic scattering medium solution and a cell culture medium. After placing a cell into the two cell culture layers, the two cell culture layers are laminated to form a three-dimensional culture laminating layer for culturing the cell. After forming the three-dimensional culture laminating layer, at least one cell-locating layer having a polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) solution, the acoustic scattering medium solution, a plurality of photoacoustic markers and the cell culture medium is positioned into the three-dimensional culture laminating layer so as to form the three-dimensional cell culture system. The imaging system is constructed according to a theory selected from one of optics, acoustics, optoacoutics and acousto-optics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of coating at least a portion of a substrate surface comprising contacting the surface with hydrogen cyanide monomeric units under conditions permitting polymerisation of the hydrogen cyanide monomeric units to form a polymer that coats the surface. Also provided is a substrate coated by a polymer according to the claimed process. Also provided is a method of forming a hydrocyanic acid-based hydrogel, the method comprising co-polymerisation in a solution, the solution comprising hydrogen cyanide monomer units and co-monomers.

Abstract: Provided herein are apparatus and systems for fabricating highly aligned arrays of polymeric fibers having isodiameters ranging from sub 50 nm to microns with lengths of several millimeters. The approach disclosed herein uses (e.g.) a micropipette to deliver polymeric solution which is collected in the form of aligned fibers on a rotating and linearly translating substrate. The methods deposit polymeric fibers on spherical surfaces and gapped surfaces with precise control, thus heralding new opportunities for a variety of applications employing polymeric fibers. The design workspace for depositing fibers disclosed herein is dependent upon processing parameters of rotational/linear translational speeds and material properties of solution rheologies. Techniques for fabrication of multilayer fiber arrays, for fabrication of cell growth scaffolds and for attachment of particles to the fiber arrays are also disclosed.

Abstract: An elastomeric substrate comprises a surface with regions of heterogeneous rigidity, wherein the regions are formed by exposing the elastomeric substrate to an energy source to form the regions such that the regions include a rigidity pattern comprising spots.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of cell growth and tissue engineering, in particular, tissue engineered compositions comprising a nanotextured substrate which is structurally configured for growth of cells in an anatomically correct adult phenotype in vitro. In particular, described herein are nanotextured substrates which are structurally configured for the anisotropic organization, maturation, and growth of in vitro-differentiated muscle cells, such as cardiomyocytes, and methods for the production and use thereof in varying sizes, nanotextures and substrate rigidities. In vitro-differentiated cardiomyocytes grown on the nanotextured substrates described herein are better-differentiated and more closely mimic adult cardiac tissue than the same cells grown on a non-textured substrate of the same composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing an electrospun scaffold, comprising electrospinning a polymer or co-polymer onto a template comprising a conductive collector having a three dimensional pattern thereon, wherein said electrospun polymer or co-polymer preferentially deposits onto said three dimensional pattern.

Abstract: Provided is a matrix for promoting survival and differentiation of cells transplanted thereon, comprising a base matrix and a cell-made matrix thereon. Methods and means for making and using same are also provided. Also provided are conditioned media, related compositions, related methods, and related packaging products.

Abstract: Vascular scaffolds and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed for tissue engineering of vascular constructs. By combining electrospun matrices with cell sheet technologies, vascular constructs with more mature cell layers can be obtained for reconstruction of blood vessels, heart valves and the like. A engineered smooth muscle cell sheet, wrapped around an electrospun vascular scaffold, is able to provide a mature SMC layer that expresses strong cell-to-cell junction markers and contractile proteins. In addition, preconditioning of the cell sheet covered vascular scaffold maintained cell viability and infiltration into the scaffold.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an apparatus and a method for the manufacture of a three-dimensional scaffold at low temperatures and the respective use of this method and apparatus.

Abstract: There is provided a method for culturing a stem cell in vitro. The method comprises providing a substrate surface coated with a coating comprising a molecule having a catechol moiety or a polymer thereof; and growing a stem cell on said coated substrate surface in a growth medium.

Abstract: This invention relates a structure and system for growth factor incorporation which can improve the osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs, for potential bone regeneration and bone growth applications or used alone for bone repair or growth applications. The system comprises a biodegradable polyester, a hydrophilic polymer, a growth factor and optionally a bioceramic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional (3D) biomimetic scaffold that exploits the use of electrical fields and electrical insulating materials to pattern previously polymerized hydro gels with different molecules and/or macromolecular entities. The invention also relates to the 3D-biomimetic scaffolds obtained and to the uses and applications thereof.

Abstract: A structure for use in cell and tissue culturing and in other surface and interface applications. The structure comprises a first material layer defining one or more surface features therein disposed randomly or in a pattern, the one or more surface features having the same or different sizes and cross sectional shapes, a second material layer disposed in or on the one or more surface features, a microstructure disposed in or on the one or more surface features and at least partially embedded and immobile within the second material layer, the microstructure presenting a curvature and a stiffness value and protruding above an upper surface of the second material, a size of the microstructure between 1 nanometer and 10 millimeters, and the structure for use in cell and tissue culturing and in other surface and interface applications wherein a cell grows on the microstructure.

Abstract: Bone cages are disclosed including devices for biocompatible implantation. The structures of bone are useful for providing living cells and tissues as well as biologically active molecules to subjects.

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: A method is provided for the preparation of a poly(amic acid) in which ring opening polymerization is employed to react the monomers ethylenediaminetetraacetic dianhydride and paraphenylenediamine in an aprotic solvent. The resulting poly(amic acid) composition is suitable as a biocompatible material, such as a biomedical implant, implant coating material, tissue scaffold material, controlled release drug delivery vehicle, and cellular growth substrate.

Abstract: A tissue engineered construct made totally or in part from biocompatible materials and mammalian cells and/or cell products is provided. These constructs are useful in regenerating complex tissues such as bone, ligament and tendon, which may fabricated into medical devices suitable for use in the treatment of injuries and maladies such as rotator cuff injuries, periodontal disease and hernia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biocompatible compositions for transplantation into a sub-retinal space of the human eye. The compositions include a biodegradable polyester film, preferably a polycaprolactone (PCL) film, and a layer of human retinal progenitor cells. The compositions of the invention can be used as scaffolds for the treatment a number of ocular diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration.

Abstract: The present invention provides constructs including a tubular biodegradable polyglycolic acid scaffold, wherein the scaffold may be coated with extracellular matrix proteins and substantially acellular. The constructs can be utilized as an arteriovenous graft, a coronary graft, a peripheral artery bypass conduit, or a urinary conduit. The present invention also provides methods of producing such constructs.

Abstract: Provided herein is a three-dimensional scaffold composition comprising randomly oriented fibers, wherein the fibers comprise a polyethylene glycol-polylactic acid block copolymer (PEG-PLA) and a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). Also provided are methods for using the three-dimensional scaffolds described herein.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a cell culturing substrate including: a cell culture surface having a film attached thereto, wherein the film includes one or more plasma polymerized monomers; and a coating on the film-coated surface, the coating deposited from a coating solution comprising one or more extracellular matrix proteins and an aqueous solvent, where the total extracellular matrix protein concentration in the coating solution is about 1 ng/mL to about 1 mg/mL.

Abstract: A method for preparing a patterned substrate is provided. The method includes melt-spinning at least one biocompatible polymer to form fibers; collecting the fibers on a substrate such that the fibers are aligned on the substrate; and applying a binding agent to the aligned fibers to bond the fibers into the aligned arrangement to obtain the patterned substrate in form of an aligned fiber mat. Use of the patterned substrate in an implant for tissue engineering is also provided.

Abstract: A polyurethane porous membrane is produced by a simple method to be used for at least one of applications of cell culture and cancer cell growth inhibition. The production method of the polyurethane porous membrane to be used for at least one of the applications of cell culture and cancer cell growth inhibition comprises: a first step of forming a layer of a polyurethane material which is uncured, on a substrate; and a second step of supplying water vapor to an exposed surface of the layer of the polyurethane material formed on the substrate, which is away from the substrate, so as to cure the polyurethane material and provide the layer of the polyurethane material with a porous structure having a plurality of irregularities on the exposed surface.

Abstract: An aqueous cell culture medium composition includes an aqueous cell culture solution configured to support the culture of mammalian cells. The composition further includes a synthetic polymer conjugated to a polypeptide dissolved in the aqueous cell culture solution. The synthetic polymer conjugated to a polypeptide is configured to attach to the surface of a cell culture article under cell culture conditions. Incubation of the aqueous cell culture medium composition on a cell culture surface under cell culture conditions results is attachment to the surface of the synthetic polymer conjugated to the polypeptide.