The present invention provides a composition that can preserve biomaterials. The biomaterial preservation composition of the present invention includes a microbubble.

A perfusion bioreactor and a perfusion device. Each perfusion device has a mesh structure, and an encapsulated organ tissue (EOT) disposed in the mesh structure. The EOT has a body with a thickness defined between a first surface of the body and a second surface of the body. The body has at least one channel extending into the body from one of the first and second surfaces to receive a fluid therein. The at least one channel has a diameter selected to diffuse solutes out of the fluid and into the body. The perfusion devices are arranged one adjacent to another and spaced apart from each other along the length of the bioreactor to receive fluid, and to perfuse the fluid to the EOT of each perfusion device and to the at least one channel therein. A method of processing blood plasma and an artificial liver system are also disclosed.

The present disclosure provides methods to improve the viability of an organ, or organs, by continuously administering a composition comprising NO.sub.x gas directly to the organ(s).

Disclosed is a method for preserving high molecular weight DNA in biological tissue, comprising contacting for a period of time at a temperature the biological tissue with an aqueous solution comprising a compound having the structure:

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A tissue oxygenation composition comprising (a) an oxygenated solution or a solution containing an oxygen carrier and (b) hydrogen sulfide (H.sub.2S). The disclosure also relates to methods of preserving, reperfusing and/or transfusing tissue with a tissue oxygenation composition according to the present disclosure.

An improved packaging assembly for storing, distributing, treating, mixing, and dispensing tissue and/or cellular material and/or implantable material. The packaging assembly may include pouches, tubes, and a bag made of a sealable, flexible polymeric material that is open at one end and a needle-free swabable connector attached to the pouch at the other end and acting as a port to allow for the introduction or discharge of biological solutions, rinsing solution, and/or preservation solutions into the packaging assembly. The designed thickness of the wall of the packaging assembly facilitates efficient heat/cold transfer, which is useful for successful controlled rate freezing, quick thawing, and resuscitation of viable cells or tissue. The packaging assembly is also useful for combining additional biological fluids with the cellular material or tissue, and for efficient mixing of the biological fluids with the tissue and/or cellular material in the assembly.

The present invention relates to methods of evaluating and/or treating organs during isolated organ perfusion, and kits for carrying out this evaluation.

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.

The invention relates to a perfusion manifold assembly that 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 an assembly so that fluid enters ports of the microfluidic device from a fluid reservoir, optionally without tubing, at a controllable flow rate.

A cell composition composed of spermatogonial stem cells, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells and optionally peritubular cells, is provided, as is a culture composition, artificial testicular construct, hydrogel composition, and device containing the same. A method for using the device as a physiologically relevant in vitro model of human testicular function to screen compounds for pharmacological or toxicological activity is also provided.