The subject invention concerns materials and methods for culture of cell aggregates. The subject invention utilizes three-dimensional (3-D) inserts comprising micro-channels having selected dimensions. The inserts are provided in or on tissue culture plates that can be supported on a programmable rocking platform/station, thereby providing for a hydrodynamic environment that promotes 3-D aggregation of cells cultured on the plates. The supporting rocker is programmed to provide motion that generates hydrodynamic conditions that support 3-D cell aggregation and long-term culture. The subject invention also concerns an apparatus comprising a tissue culture vessel that comprises a 3-D insert of the present invention, and a programmable rocking platform/station that can provide motion to the vessel provided thereon, thereby generating hydrodynamic conditions and wave motion that support 3-D cell aggregation and cell culture. The subject invention also concerns methods for growing 3-D aggregates of cells.

This invention relates to methods and compositions for detecting, identifying and treating glaucoma diseases. More particularly, this invention discloses compositions and methods for affecting intraocular pressure and increasing ocular outflows in glaucoma. Compositions and methods provided include purified and synthesized extracellular vesicle complexes from glaucoma ocular humor for use in methods and devices for detecting, characterizing and treating glaucoma diseases along with active agents. The presence of extracellular vesicle complexes in glaucoma can also be used as a biomarker.

In order to develop tools and methods useful in a variety of applications, including the research and development of medical treatments which involve the modification of collagen protein and use of the same, the present invention provides a modified collagen protein expressed in a transformed cell and capable of forming collagen fibers outside of said cell, wherein the transformation is performed by introducing, into the cell, into the cell, polynucleotides coding the modified collagen protein.

The present invention relates to large-scale bioreactors having at least two impellers, large-scale bioreactor systems and methods for the large scale cultivation and propagation of mammalian cells using these bioreactors.

Methods of differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into hematopoietic precursor cells, wherein the method is carried out under suspension agitation, and wherein a GSK-3-inhibitor or a Wnt pathway activator is added during a stage of mesoderm induction, and cell culture media for use in the methods, as well as kits for performing the same.

Methods of inducing cell death by hyperactivation of motility networks are provided.

Methods for using vibration to harvest cells grown in 3D culture are provided. The methods entail the application of force cells attached to a 3D matrix of sufficient amplitude, frequency, and duration to detach cells from the matrix and to flush the detached cells out of the matrix material. An apparatus for performing the methods of the invention as provided.

The present invention provides a method for producing purified platelets from a culture of megakaryocytes, comprising a first centrifugal separation step of centrifugally separating the culture at a centrifugal force of 150g to 550g, and a second centrifugal separation step of centrifugally separating, at a centrifugal force of 600g to 4000g, a liquid component recovered in the first centrifugal separation step.

Disclosed are methods of preparing a high-quality sheet-shaped cell culture by preventing breakage of a sheet-shaped cell culture that is caused by adhesion, sticking and/or shrinkage of the sheet-shaped cell culture as a result of detaching, transferring or preserving the sheet-shaped cell culture. Also disclosed are methods of detaching, cleaning, and/or preserving a sheet-shaped cell culture, including soaking a sheet-shaped cell culture in a low nutrient isotonic solution.

A cell culturing method and device that uses a cell culture bag (1) that includes a bag body (2) configured from an upper surface film (21) and a lower surface film (22) having a sealed periphery, and a port (3) attached to the bag body (2), and a plurality of recesses (4) being formed in the lower surface film (22). The method including: a closing-off step for closing off the plurality of recesses (4) using the upper surface film (21) by discharging a culture medium (S) contained in the bag body (2) through the port (3); and a releasing step for releasing, in some or all of the plurality of closed-off recesses (4), cells or cell aggregates adhering to the inner surfaces of the recesses (4).