The invention relates to a method for preparing PHFs-like Tau aggregates and to a method for identifying compounds that are inhibitors of Tau protein aggregation, blockers of Tau seeding and propagation, and imaging agents that specifically bind PHF.

Provided are assay systems for determining the therapeutic or toxic effect of a putative drug based on assaying its activity in cells which have been differentiated in vitro from stem cells, and induced to display a phenotype that resembles a disease to be treated.

Described herein is a human, cardiovascular platform for assessing cardiotoxicity of novel/existing chemotherapeutic agents that takes advantage of microfluidic organ chip systems to examine interaction between hiPSC-derived cardiovascular cells in an integrated system. Human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) and human induced pluripotent stem cell derived endothelial cells (hiPSC-ECs) can serve as an in-vitro platform for assessing disease pathology, including infectious disease, evaluate drug efficacy, toxicity, cardiotoxicity and cardioprotection. This includes evaluating VEGFR2/PDGFR-inhibiting tyrosine kinase inhibitors and drug efficacy in a viral infection model, including coronaviruses. They are scalable, functionally-active cell types that mimic the cells comprising the myocardium and systemic vasculature.

An in vitro three-dimensional multicellular system for maintaining tissue such as heart tissue (e.g. human or other animal heart slices) under physiological conditions is provided. Heart tissue that is cultured using the system remains full viable and functional for at least 6 days. The system is thus suitable to continuously monitor the effects of drugs (e.g. cardiotoxicity) during in vitro testing.

An apparatus for sensing, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of genetically modified sensors and a transducer array. The plurality of genetically modified sensors comprise a plurality of subsets of sensors wherein the sensors are genetically modified so as to provide an output in response to one or more chemicals. The plurality of genetically modified sensors are genetically modified in a non-correlated manner so that different subsets of sensors are configured to provide a different affinity to different chemicals. The transducer array, comprises a plurality of pixels, wherein different subsets of the plurality of genetically modified sensors are coupled to different pixels so as to cause the pixels to provide outputs dependent upon the genetic modification of the subset of sensors coupled to the pixel. Detection of one or more chemicals by one or more of the genetically modified sensors causes an identifiable output signal to be provided by the transducer array.

Provided herein are blastoids and methods for producing the same that are obtained from an extended pluripotent stem (EPS) cell. The herein-disclosed methods provide a unique and highly malleable in vitro system for studying early preimplantation development. Also provided are EPS-blastoids derived from a somatic cell.

The phosphorescence oxygen analyzer has a light source including an LED array that flashes light at 1,000 flashes per second. The light flashes are received in a test chamber containing a carousel having a plurality (preferably ten) of sample vials mounted thereon. The samples a phosphorescent probe (palladium(II) complex, namely, meso-tetra-(4-sulfonatophenyl)tetrabenzoporphyrin; Pd phosphor) mixed with either a control sample of tissue or a sample of tissue and a suspected toxin or a pharmaceutical it is desired to test, the carousel being rotated to irradiate each vial in turn. The probe has an absorption maximum at 625 nm and emission maximum at 800 nm. Phosphorescent emissions are detected by a photomultiplier tube connected to a measurement 2020 board, which is connected to a processor that computes the lifetime and peak of the pulses, which determines the rate of phosphorescent decay due to oxygen metabolized by the tissue mitochondria.

Long awaited is a human liver-like three-dimensional construct that makes it possible to carry out evaluation of human-specific toxicity and the like accurately and in a simple manner. The present invention provides a human liver-like three-dimensional construct comprising a heterospheroid, in which human hepatic cells and other human-derived cells which are not human hepatic cells are aggregated. This human liver-like three-dimensional construct is characterized in that the other human-derived cells are at least one selected from human hepatic stellate cells and the like, and the other human-derived cell to the human hepatic cell count ratio is at least 0.01 but less than 1.

Provided herein are methods for spectrophotometric detection of bacterial endotoxin in a fluid sample, wherein such detection can occur at low concentrations of contamination, and uses systems that permit offline or inline and optionally continuous assessment. Also disclosed are methods for identifying a particular bacterial source of an endotoxin in a fluid sample.

The present disclosure provides an encapsulated liver tissue that can be used in vivo to improve liver functions, in vitro to determine the hepatic metabolism and/or hepatotoxicity of an agent and ex vivo to remove toxic compounds from patients’ biological fluid. The encapsulated liver tissue comprises at least one liver organoid at least partially covered with a biocompatible cross-linked polymer. Processes for making the encapsulated liver tissue are also provided.