The present invention provides a method for evaluating effectiveness of a cell therapeutic agent. When using TGF-β and/or TSP-1 expression level(s) in: (a) a first population of transformed mammalian cells with TGF-β; and (b) a second population of untransformed mammalian cells with the same gene, respectively, as a criterion for determining effectiveness of a cell therapeutic agent, and whether or not expression thereof, it is possible to definitely determine the therapeutic efficacy of each cell therapeutic agent prior to initiation of the treatment. In addition, since use of a cell therapeutic agent without therapeutic effects is avoided, undesired procedures and side effects may not be entailed.

The present invention provides a method for evaluating effectiveness of a cell therapeutic agent. When using TGF-β and/or TSP-1 expression level(s) in: (a) a first population of transformed mammalian cells with TGF-β; and (b) a second population of untransformed mammalian cells with the same gene, respectively, as a criterion for determining effectiveness of a cell therapeutic agent, and whether or not expression thereof, it is possible to definitely determine the therapeutic efficacy of each cell therapeutic agent prior to initiation of the treatment. In addition, since use of a cell therapeutic agent without therapeutic effects is avoided, undesired procedures and side effects may not be entailed.

The presently disclosure relates to a system and method for bioelectronic communications. In certain embodiments the system comprises a bacterial cell or cells that comprise a genetic system for high-efficiency over-expression and secretion of recombinant proteins in bacteria. In certain embodiments, the system and method operate in a “pump-then-burst release” fashion to rapidly achieve high yields extracellularly. In certain embodiments, the system and method include quorum sensing-derived regulation, which may enable auto-induction of a protein's expression and secretion.

An apparatus includes multiple first reservoirs and multiple second reservoirs joined with a substrate. Selected ones of the multiple first reservoirs include a reducing agent, and first reservoir surfaces of selected ones of the multiple first reservoirs are proximate to a first substrate surface. Selected ones of the multiple second reservoirs include an oxidizing agent, and second reservoir surfaces of selected ones of the multiple second reservoirs are proximate to the first substrate surface.

An apparatus includes multiple first reservoirs and multiple second reservoirs joined with a substrate. Selected ones of the multiple first reservoirs include a reducing agent, and first reservoir surfaces of selected ones of the multiple first reservoirs are proximate to a first substrate surface. Selected ones of the multiple second reservoirs include an oxidizing agent, and second reservoir surfaces of selected ones of the multiple second reservoirs are proximate to the first substrate surface.

Device, and methods of using or making the device, for engineering cells in vitro are disclosed. In some aspects, a cell culture device comprises at least one glass or polymer surface configured for incubating cells in a culture medium; a charged molecule electrostatically bound to the surface; and a polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) electrostatically bound to the charged molecule, the PEM comprising one or more bi-layers of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes, and the PEM having a sufficient thickness to permit release of the charged molecule into the culture medium in a controlled released manner.

Device, and methods of using or making the device, for engineering cells in vitro are disclosed. In some aspects, a cell culture device comprises at least one glass or polymer surface configured for incubating cells in a culture medium; a charged molecule electrostatically bound to the surface; and a polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) electrostatically bound to the charged molecule, the PEM comprising one or more bi-layers of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes, and the PEM having a sufficient thickness to permit release of the charged molecule into the culture medium in a controlled released manner.

A system, configured to facilitate processing and detection of nucleic acids, the system comprising a process fluid container and a cartridge comprising: a top layer, a set of sample port-reagent port pairs, a shared fluid port, a vent region, a heating region, and a set of detection chambers; an intermediate substrate, coupled to the top layer comprising a waste chamber; an elastomeric layer, partially situated on the intermediate substrate; and a set of fluidic pathways, each formed by at least a portion of the top layer and a portion of the elastomeric layer, wherein each fluidic pathway is fluidically coupled to a sample port-reagent port pair, the shared fluid port, and a detection chamber, comprises a portion passing through the heating region, and is configured to be occluded upon deformation of the elastomeric layer, to transfer a waste fluid to the waste chamber, and to pass through the vent region.

The present disclosure relates to a high throughput, scalable system for electroporation of biological cells. The two part system comprises an electroporation reaction array that interfaces with a control unit, providing electrical pulse, temperature control, and mixing of the sample contents. The control unit automates the entire process; electroporation, cell recovery and outgrowth are performed in a electroporation array assembly. The bottom of each reaction well of the electroporation array assembly contains a pair of coplanar electrodes. The bottom surface containing the electrodes is treated in a way to render it hydrophilic. This results in increased wetting of the electrodes thereby increasing transformation efficiency. The electrode configuration allows for processing of smaller sample volumes, reducing the consumption of expensive biological reagents by several orders of magnitude compared to conventional cuvette-based electroporation devices.

The present disclosure relates to a high throughput, scalable system for electroporation of biological cells. The two part system comprises an electroporation reaction array that interfaces with a control unit, providing electrical pulse, temperature control, and mixing of the sample contents. The control unit automates the entire process; electroporation, cell recovery and outgrowth are performed in a electroporation array assembly. The bottom of each reaction well of the electroporation array assembly contains a pair of coplanar electrodes. The bottom surface containing the electrodes is treated in a way to render it hydrophilic. This results in increased wetting of the electrodes thereby increasing transformation efficiency. The electrode configuration allows for processing of smaller sample volumes, reducing the consumption of expensive biological reagents by several orders of magnitude compared to conventional cuvette-based electroporation devices.