Provided is a transplantation device comprising a hydrogel in which insulin-secreting cells or pancreatic islets are enclosed, wherein the hydrogel is prepared by gelatinizing an alginic acid derivative by a chemical crosslinkage. Thus, a novel transplantation device is provided.

This application relates to cell delivery articles and methods for delivering cells into the body in a manner that allows them to incorporate into surrounding tissue and express cell products. The cell delivery articles are generally capable of maintaining viability of the cells for a period of time that allows such incorporation to occur. Additionally, a cell delivery article may include a bio-ghost coating that prevents the cell delivery article from being recognized by the immune system, and/or minimizes or prevents development of fibrotic tissue which can interfere with nutrients and oxygen entering the cell delivery article and reaching the cells. A cell delivery article may be formulated for delivery by various routes of administration.

This application relates to cell delivery articles and methods for delivering cells into the body in a manner that allows them to incorporate into surrounding tissue and express cell products. The cell delivery articles are generally capable of maintaining viability of the cells for a period of time that allows such incorporation to occur. Additionally, a cell delivery article may include a bio-ghost coating that prevents the cell delivery article from being recognized by the immune system, and/or minimizes or prevents development of fibrotic tissue which can interfere with nutrients and oxygen entering the cell delivery article and reaching the cells. A cell delivery article may be formulated for delivery by various routes of administration.

The disclosure relates to stem cells and their therapeutic use in the treatment and/or prevention of pancreatic diseases or disorders. Provided herein are compositions comprising c-kit positive pancreatic stem cells and methods of preparing and using c-kit positive pancreatic stem cells for the treatment and/or prevention of pancreatic diseases or disorders.

The disclosure relates to stem cells and their therapeutic use in the treatment and/or prevention of pancreatic diseases or disorders. Provided herein are compositions comprising c-kit positive pancreatic stem cells and methods of preparing and using c-kit positive pancreatic stem cells for the treatment and/or prevention of pancreatic diseases or disorders.

Nanoparticles, methods, and kits are provided for supplying nutrients and other therapeutic agents to transplanted cells. Nutrient deprivation is a significant factor which contributes to poor outcome of many cell transplants because cells receive insufficient nutrients until they are able to establish a functional microcirculation to support their metabolic and physiological needs after transplantation. Nanoparticles are provided for use in supplying nutrients and other therapeutic agents to transplanted cells to improve cell survival. Such nanoparticles can be used to supply nutrients and other factors to transplanted cells until the transplanted cells are able to develop a new microcirculation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new compound capable of efficiently inducing differentiation from pluripotent stem cells into insulin-producing cells. The object of the present invention is achieved by a compound represented by formula (I): ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, n and A have the same meanings as defined in the description, respectively, or a salt thereof.

The invention concerns novel methods and materials for preparing extracellular matrix (ECM) powder pre-gel and gel solutions, for example for use in organoid culture. The ECM gels demonstrate excellent physiological and mechanical properties while having the proteomic signature of endoderm tissue with specific enrichment of key ECM proteins relevant to organoid formation.

The invention concerns novel methods and materials for preparing extracellular matrix (ECM) powder pre-gel and gel solutions, for example for use in organoid culture. The ECM gels demonstrate excellent physiological and mechanical properties while having the proteomic signature of endoderm tissue with specific enrichment of key ECM proteins relevant to organoid formation.

A bioartificial device, such as a bioartificial pancreas, for implantation in a patient's vascular system. The bioartificial pancreas includes a scaffold adapted to engage an interior wall of a blood vessel, a cellular complex support by the scaffold and extending longitudinally within the interior cavity of the scaffold so as to be exposed to the blood flow when the scaffold is engaged with the blood vessel, the cellular complex support comprising one or more pockets bordered by thin film; and cellular complex comprising pancreatic islets disposed in the one or more pockets, the thin film being adapted to permit oxygen and glucose to diffuse from flowing blood into the one or more pockets at a rate sufficient to support the viability of the islets. The invention also includes methods of making and using a bioartificial pancreas.