Compositions, devices and methods are described for improving adhesion, attachment, and/or differentiation of cells in a microfluidic device or chip. In one embodiment, one or more ECM proteins are covalently coupled to the surface of a microchannel of a microfluidic device. The microfluidic devices can be stored or used immediately for culture and/or support of living cells such as mammalian cells, and/or for simulating a function of a tissue, e.g., a liver tissue, muscle tissue, etc. Extended adhesion and viability with sustained function over time is observed.

Compositions, devices and methods are described for improving adhesion, attachment, and/or differentiation of cells in a microfluidic device or chip. In one embodiment, one or more ECM proteins are covalently coupled to the surface of a microchannel of a microfluidic device. The microfluidic devices can be stored or used immediately for culture and/or support of living cells such as mammalian cells, and/or for simulating a function of a tissue, e.g., a liver tissue, muscle tissue, etc. Extended adhesion and viability with sustained function over time is observed.

The present invention relates, inter alia, to certain hepcidin peptide analogues, including peptides and dimers thereof, and to the use of the peptides and peptide dimers in the treatment and/or prevention of a variety of diseases, conditions or disorders, including treatment and/or prevention of iron overload diseases, which include hereditary hemochromatosis and iron-loading anemias, and other conditions and disorders described herein.

The present invention relates to a chromatography ligand, which comprises Domain C from Staphylococcus protein A (SpA), or a functional fragment or variant thereof. The chromatography ligand presents an advantageous capability of withstanding harsh cleaning in place (CIP) conditions, and is capable of binding Fab fragments of antibodies. The ligand may be provided with a terminal coupling group, such as arginine or cysteine, to facilitate its coupling to an insoluble carrier such as beads or a membrane. The invention also relates to a process of using the ligand in isolation of antibodies, and to a purification protocol which may include washing steps and/or regeneration with alkali.

The present invention relates to a chromatography ligand, which comprises Domain C from Staphylococcus protein A (SpA), or a functional fragment or variant thereof. The chromatography ligand presents an advantageous capability of withstanding harsh cleaning in place (CIP) conditions, and is capable of binding Fab fragments of antibodies. The ligand may be provided with a terminal coupling group, such as arginine or cysteine, to facilitate its coupling to an insoluble carrier such as beads or a membrane. The invention also relates to a process of using the ligand in isolation of antibodies, and to a purification protocol which may include washing steps and/or regeneration with alkali.

Beta-sheet forming polypeptides at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS:1-24 are disclosed, together with their use and methods for designing beta-sheet forming polypeptides.

Beta-sheet forming polypeptides at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS:1-24 are disclosed, together with their use and methods for designing beta-sheet forming polypeptides.

According to some embodiments, a carrier for reducing a likelihood of a pathogen binding to cell structures of a host comprises a core, surface features extending from an exterior surface of the core, wherein the surface features are configured to bind to target areas of cell structures of the host to at least partially block the pathogen from binding to said target areas as a result of competitive inhibition, and a plurality of binding sites along the exterior surface, wherein the binding sites are configured to attract at least one portion of the pathogen, wherein the binding sites are recognizable by the pathogen and are able to be bound by the pathogen, thereby at least partially immobilizing the pathogen and reducing the likelihood of the pathogen binding to target areas of cell structures of the host.

According to some embodiments, a carrier for reducing a likelihood of a pathogen binding to cell structures of a host comprises a core, surface features extending from an exterior surface of the core, wherein the surface features are configured to bind to target areas of cell structures of the host to at least partially block the pathogen from binding to said target areas as a result of competitive inhibition, and a plurality of binding sites along the exterior surface, wherein the binding sites are configured to attract at least one portion of the pathogen, wherein the binding sites are recognizable by the pathogen and are able to be bound by the pathogen, thereby at least partially immobilizing the pathogen and reducing the likelihood of the pathogen binding to target areas of cell structures of the host.

Compositions, devices and methods are described for improving adhesion, attachment, and/or differentiation of cells in a microfluidic device or chip. In one embodiment, one or more ECM proteins are covalently coupled to the surface of a microchannel of a microfluidic device. The microfluidic devices can be stored or used immediately for culture and/or support of living cells such as mammalian cells, and/or for simulating a function of a tissue, e.g., a liver tissue, muscle tissue, etc. Extended adhesion and viability with sustained function over time is observed.