Cell-culture platforms are described that can impart cyclic strain on a biologically-relevant culture substrate. Accordingly, systems and methods of the invention can provide a more accurate model of physiological strain and forces than earlier technologies. Systems of the invention enable high-throughput experimentation in standard culturing equipment, while utilizing a 3D physiologically-relevant environment.

Disclosed are devices for improving viability of isolated islets or -cells and stimulating insulin production from isolated islets or -cells and uses thereof for treating type 1 diabetes.

The invention relates to a method for preparing an irradiated platelet lysate, comprising the steps of providing a starting platelet lysate having platelet factors including growth factors and plasma proteins including coagulation factors and proteins other than the coagulation factors. Double irradiation of the starting platelet lysate, using UVC radiation and ionizing radiation. The double irradiation with UVC radiation and ionizing radiation being arranged to retain at least 75% of the total protein concentration of the starting platelet lysate, while reducing, by at least 40%, the concentration of at least one of the coagulation factors including fibrinogen, factor II, factor VII, factor IX, factor X and factor XI of the starting platelet lysate.

A method for in vitro activation and/or expansion of immune cells is provided, including the steps of: a) providing magnetic particles having multi-protrusive surface modified with at least one type of immuno-inducing substance, in which each magnetic particle includes a copolymer core, a polymer layer, a magnetic substance layer, and a silicon-based layer from the inside to the outside; b) providing a cell solution including at least one type of immune cell in the cell solution; and c) bringing the magnetic particles in contact with the cell solution, in which the at least one type of immuno-inducing substance on the surface of the magnetic particle activates and/or expands the at least one type of immune cell in the cell solution.

The present invention relates to a cell reprogramming method using a physical stimulation-mediated environmental influx, and more specifically, by subjecting differentiated or non-differentiated cells to physical stimulation which can promote an environmental influx, such as ultrasonic waves, laser or heat shock, without the introduction of a reprogramming-inducing factor or a chemical substance to the differentiated cells, the cells can be reprogrammed with just the imposition of an external environmental influx into pluripotent cells or arbitrary differentiated cells having a different expression type from the differentiated or non-differentiated cells, and as such an inducement has a simple and effective production process, the possibility of an autogenic cell therapy can be made greater.

The present invention relates to a nano-ligand for promoting cell adhesion and regeneration of macrophages and a method of promoting cell adhesion and regeneration of macrophages by using the nano-ligand. The method of promoting cell adhesion and regeneration of macrophages according to the present invention applies a magnetic field to a substrate including the nano-ligand, so that it is possible to reversely control the sliding of the nano-ligand, as well as temporally and spatially control the sliding of the nano-ligand, and efficiently control cell adhesion and phenotypic polarization of macrophages in vivo or ex vivo through the magnetic field-based spatiotemporal control.

Herein is reported a method for the co-cultivation of single deposited B-cells, which can be of any source, with EL-4 B5 feeder cells in a suitable co-cultivation medium. In the herein reported methods the EL-4 B5 cells have been irradiated with a dose of less than 40 Gy, preferably 9.5 Gy or less. Thereby the EL-4 B5 cells have a higher viability and maintain the ability to divide in cultivation at doses less than 6 Gy.

The present invention provides a method for inducing differentiation of neural stem cells. The present invention provides optimized differentiation conditions of neural stem cells into neurons using a patterned hydrogel.

A two-stage or two-tier system and method for rapid screening of compounds for inotropic effects is disclosed. The system comprises, in a first tier, an engineered cardiac tissue strip (CTS) comprising cardiomyocytes, such as human ventricular cardiomyocytes, embedded in a biocompatible gel wherein the gel comprises at least two biocompatible structural supports such as polydimethylsiloxane posts for elevating the gel. The system further comprises, in a second tier, an apparatus comprising at least one organoid module comprising at least one organoid cartridge, wherein each organoid cartridge comprises an organoid, and a minor arrangement. The system further comprises at least one detection device, such as a high-speed camera, for detecting deflection of the CTS gel in the first tier of the system and/or for detecting tissue or organoid behavior in the organoid cartridge or cartridges of the second tier of the system. The method comprises application of a compound to the cardiac tissue strip and detection of any deflection of the gel in response to application of the compound to detect compounds showing a possible inotropic effect and introduction of such a compound to an organoid module, wherein modified contractility of the cardiac tissue or organoid in the organoid module identifies a compound having an inotropic effect. A method of making a cardiac tissue strip is also provided. The second tier system is also useful in methods of producing and monitoring, characterizing, manipulating or testing one or more organoids (e.g., human organoids) ex vivo. The system, methods, apparatus, and compositions are useful in a variety of contexts, including the assessment of potential therapeutics for efficacy and/or toxicity.

Systems and methods generally useful in medicine, cellular biology, nanotechnology, and cell culturing are discussed. In particular, at least in some embodiments, systems and methods for magnetic guidance and patterning of cells and materials are discussed. Some specific applications of these systems and methods may include levitated culturing of cells away from a surface, making and manipulating patterns of levitated cells, and patterning culturing of cells on a surface. Specifically, a method of culturing cells is presented. The method may comprise providing a plurality of cells, providing a magnetic field, and levitating at least some of the plurality of cells in the magnetic field, wherein the plurality of cells comprise magnetic nanoparticles. The method may also comprise maintaining the levitation for a time sufficient to permit cell growth to form an assembly.