The subject matter disclosed herein is generally directed to modulation of genes and pathways that drive differentiation of LGR5+ stem cells. The methods and compositions can be used to treat diseases associated with aberrant epithelial barrier function.

The present invention relates to methods, and devices to analyze the phenotype and/or genotype of cells obtained from tissue samples. In particular, the present invention relates to the analysis of the response of the cells as obtained to the exposure of a drug compound or combinations thereof. The methods of the present invention offer the particular advantage of being time-effective, and suitable for automatization.

Various cardio tissue testing wells with an actuable attachment structure therein, and testing systems incorporating such wells therein. The various well embodiments can include an actuable attachment structure that is actuated by external energy, such as a magnetic field, fluidic pressure, or electrical actuation. The various system embodiments can include a controller, a power source, and a testing plate containing a plurality of wells, wherein each well includes an actuable attachment structure.

The present invention provides an ex vivo lymph node is provided. The ex vivo lymph node comprises an intact lobule in a chamber connected to an afferent lymphatic vessel and an efferent lymphatic vessel. The intact lobule is perfused with a lymphatic fluid into the chamber via the afferent lymphatic vessel and out of the chamber via the efferent lymphatic vessel and perfused with a vascular fluid into the intact lobule via an endogenous artery and out of the intact lobule via an endogenous vein. Also provided is a method for preparing the ex vivo lymph node. Further provided are methods for screening for an agent capable of changing the ex vivo lymph node, producing T lymphocytes or B lymphocytes and determining immunoreactivity of the ex vivo lymph node.

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.

A system for the characterization of vital or reconstituted tissues, in particular skin appendages, includes a plurality of sources of electromagnetic radiation to be spatially oriented and to irradiate according to a selected angle of incidence a sample of vital or reconstituted tissue having a series of filaments of a person that are homogenous in structural type, at least one image acquisition device for receiving a reflected and/or dispersed radiation from the sample, or a fluorescence radiation emitted by the sample, and an image processing unit configured to process reflection, and/or dispersion and/or fluorescence images, and to classify examined tissue to compare the value of at least one parameter selected from gloss, dimensions, colour intensity, contour of the filaments of the sample with a database of parameters of classes of predetermined vital or reconstituted tissues, and/or to compare the value of the at least one parameter with a database of historic values of parameters of the tissue.

An electrophysiological recording and stimulation system includes an electrophysiological device coupled to neural tissue and configured to measure neural electrophysiological signals. The system also includes a computing device coupled to the electrophysiological device and configured to receive neural electrophysiological signals from the electrophysiological device, and transmit neural stimulating signals to the neural tissue through the electrophysiological device based on the neural electrophysiological signals.

The invention discloses a method for screening a therapeutic target of acute radiation-induced gastrointestinal syndrome and use of TIGAR target in the preparation of a medicine for treating radiation-induced gastrointestinal syndrome. The CreERT-loxP transgenic mouse model is used, in which quiescent intestinal crypt stem cells are effectively promoted to proliferate after exposure to high-dose ionizing radiation, to screen a therapeutic target that still has a therapeutic effect for radiation-induced gastrointestinal syndrome 18-24 h after ionizing radiation. Gene splicing occurs in particular cells in the CreERT-loxP transgenic mice only after the injection of tamoxifen, thereby regulating gene expression. The actual situation of initial exposure and then treatment after a nuclear accident is well simulated, so the invention is of great practical significance. The screened therapeutic target is developed into a medicine for treatment after nuclear accidents, to save precious time for the treatment after nuclear accidents.

The invention disclosed herein generally relates to methods and systems for converting stem cells into specific tissue(s) or organ(s) through directed differentiation. In particular, the invention disclosed herein relates to methods and systems for promoting human self-organizing single-rosette spheroids (SOSRS), a type of brain organoid, comprising neuroepithelium having either a dorsal cell fate or a ventral cell fate formation from pluripotent stem cells.

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a three-dimensional ex vivo skeletal muscle tissue comprising a hydrogel and a plurality of cells that includes skeletal muscle cells, at least a portion of the cells being encapsulated inside the hydrogel. In some embodiments, the skeletal muscle tissue is characterized by one or more contractions in response to an electrical and/or chemical stimulation.