A culture module is contemplated that allows the perfusion and optionally mechanical actuation of one or more microfluidic devices, such as organ-on-a-chip microfluidic devices comprising cells that mimic at least one function of an organ in the body. A method for pressure control is contemplated to allow the control of flow rate (while perfusing cells) despite limitations of common pressure regulators. The method for pressure control allows for perfusion of a microfluidic device, such as an organ on a chip microfluidic device comprising cells that mimic cells in an organ in the body, that is detachably linked with said assembly, so that fluid enters ports of the microfluidic device from a fluid reservoir, optionally without tubing, at a controllable flow rate.

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 invention provides a microfluidic device comprising at least one cell culture chamber, the at least one cell culture chamber being connected to at least two openings, the device being configured to supply at least one physiologically active substance from at least one of the openings to the at least one cell culture chamber in such a manner as to form a concentration gradient or concentration gradients in the at least one chamber when cells and a hydrogel are introduced into the at least one cell culture chamber to culture the cells in a 3D-gel medium.

The present disclosure relates to a microfluidic devices and methods for culturing bone marrow cells. Aspects include methods of preparing microfluidic devices and culturing bone marrow cells with the microfluidic devices. In some aspects, a method includes providing a microfluidic device having an upper chamber, a lower chamber, and a porous membrane separating the upper chamber from the lower chamber. The method further includes seeding walls of the lower chamber and a bottom surface of the membrane with endothelial cells. The method further includes providing a matrix within the upper chamber. The matrix includes fibrin gel and bone marrow cells. The method further includes filling or perfusing the upper chamber with a media.

The present invention relates to an ex vivo method for producing platelets including a combination of use of pharmacological substances and microfluidic device features, for high yield and high quality platelet production from megakaryocytes or their progenitors.

This disclosure pertains to a non-living biological product. Particularly, exosomes derived from stem cells can help restore heart function. According to certain embodiments, a fluid-induced shear stress mechanical stimulation process of stem cells is used to augmented quantity and quality of exosomes produced from stem cells. These exosomes serve as a therapeutic agent for the regenerative repair of diseases, such as diseased heart tissues. Therefore, compositions comprising the exosomes derived from stem cells and methods of treating a degenerative disease by administering the exosomes isolated from stem cells are also provided.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for selecting cells, an apparatus for selecting cells, and an apparatus system for selecting cells, which enables evaluation of a damage resistance of the cells in a suspension culture system. According to the present invention, provided is a method for selecting cells including introducing cells into a micro flow passage and allowing the cells to pass through the micro flow passage, evaluating a damage resistance of the cells to damage received by the cells due to passing through the micro flow passage, and selecting the cells based on the evaluation of the damage resistance.

Methods and compositions for the biological repair of cartilage using a hybrid construct combining both an inert structure and living core are described. The inert structure is intended to act not only as a delivery system to feed and grow a living core component, but also as an inducer of cell differentiation. The inert structure comprises concentric internal and external and inflatable/expandable balloon-like bio-polymers. The living core comprises the cell-matrix construct comprised of HDFs, for example, seeded in a scaffold. The method comprises surgically removing a damaged cartilage from a patient and inserting the hybrid construct into the cavity generated after the foregoing surgical intervention. The balloons of the inert structure are successively inflated within the target area, such as a joint, for example. Also disclosed herein are methods for growing and differentiating human fibroblasts into chondrocyte-like cells via mechanical strain.

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.