A microfluidic device is contemplated comprising an open-top cavity with structural anchors on the vertical wall surfaces that serve to prevent gel shrinkage-induced delamination, a porous membrane (optionally stretchable) positioned in the middle over a microfluidic channel(s). The device is particularly suited to the growth of cells mimicking dermal layers.

The present invention relates to a method for producing hair microfollicles comprising the steps of: a) providing de novo papillae, b) providing other cell populations selected from the group of fibroblasts, keratinocytes and melanocytes, and co-culturing the de novo papillae with at least one other cell population in non-adherent culture vessels. The present invention relates also to methods of producing de novo papillae usable in said method for producing hair microfollicles.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a three-dimensionally cultured skin model comprising dermis and epidermis, which comprises: a step of preparing the dermis using a composition comprising murine fibroblasts; and native collagen or a combination of native collagen and atelocollagen; and a step of forming the epidermis using keratinocytes. Also, the present invention relates to a three-dimensionally cultured skin model which comprises: a dermis prepared by a composition comprising murine fibroblasts, native collagen, or a combination of native collagen and atelocollagen; and epidermis formed from keratinocytes. The three-dimensionally cultured skin model of the present invention may be used widely in toxicity and efficacy experiments of medicines or cosmetics, and in the field of alternative experiments for animal experiments since the three-dimensionally cultured skin model is excellent in formation and differentiation of dermis and epidermis using murine 3T3 cells for preparing the skin model and a mixture of atelocollagen and native collagen, and has a structure similar to the human skin layer by inhibiting dermal contraction and collagen degradation in the dermis.

Provided are a hair follicle germ having excellent hair growth-related properties, a method of producing a hair follicle germ, and a method of activating cells contained in a hair follicle germ. The hair follicle germ includes: epithelial cells; mesenchymal cells; and mesenchymal stem cells. The method of producing a hair follicle germ includes co-culturing epithelial cells, mesenchymal cells, and mesenchymal stem cells to form a hair follicle germ.

A method of simulating a biological response of a cellular system may include removing at least some DNA-containing material from a vascular plant tissue to produce a vascularized cellulose scaffold, seeding the vascularized cellulose scaffold with cultured biological cells, growing cultured biological cells on the vascularized cellulose scaffold to produce the vascularized biological system, subjecting the vascularized biological system to an external stimulus, and measuring a response of the vascularized biological system. In some embodiments, the removing step comprises submerging the plant tissue in a fluid comprising supercritical CO2, peracetic acid and ethanol.

The invention provides a combination of compositions comprising in a first composition 17β-estradiol as the active ingredient and, as a second composition, a suspension of cells for use in the treatment of functional defects of an epithelium, e.g. of an epithelium of a tissue, which tissue may be part of an organ.

The invention provides a skin culturing apparatus configured for biphasic culturing of mammalian skin and/or a mammalian skin substitute. The apparatus comprises a first chamber that is configured to provide a gaseous environment having a relative humidity below 90% and comprising less than 5% CO.sub.2, and a second chamber that is configured to provide tissue culture medium at a temperature of 33.0-37.5° C. and pH of 6.1-7.9. The invention also provides methods for culturing mammalian skin and/or skin substitutes, as well as methods for testing mammalian skin and/or mammalian skin substitutes cultured in the skin culturing apparatus.

A method for manufacturing a skin chip according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a step of forming first and second PDMS layers disposed on both surfaces of a porous membrane and each having a microfluidic channel through which a culture medium is transferred to both surfaces of the porous membrane; a step of forming first and second MEA substrate layers disposed on the outer surfaces of the first and second PDMS layers, respectively, and having metal electrodes for measurement of TEER arranged at positions corresponding to the channels; and a step of forming first and second PMMA layers disposed on the outer surfaces of the first and second MEA substrate layers, respectively. In the method for manufacturing a skin chip according to in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the porous membrane may be made of a polycarbonate having pores of a predetermined size.

Disclosed herein are improved methods for fabricating bioprinted, three-dimensional, biological tissues. The methods relate to exposures to low temperatures, incubations at low temperatures of various durations, and fabrication in environments without structural cross-linking treatments.

Provided herein are methods and systems for bio-printing of three-dimensional organs and organoids. Also provided herein are bio-printed three-dimensional organs and organoids for use in the generation and/or the assessment of immunological products and/or immune responses. Also provided herein are methods and system for bio-printing three-dimensional matrices.