The present invention relates to the unexpected discovery of 3D printed biomimetics of growth plate cartilage and methods using the same for the treatment of growth plate defects. In certain embodiments, the methods prevent the growth of bony bars at the site of growth plate injury, thereby preventing growth arrest and/or deformity.

An implantable composition can include methacrylated solubilized devitalized cartilage (MeSDVC) with or without devitalized cartilage (DVC) particles. These compositions can be hydrogel precursors. After implantation, the MeSDVC may be crosslinked so as to form a hydrogel. The crosslinked hydrogel can include the DVC particles. A hydrogel precursor matrix (e.g., not crosslinked) can include a crosslinkable substance that can be crosslinked into a hydrogel, where DVC particles are included in the precursor matrix. The hydrogel precursor matrix can be located in a tissue defect site, such as a hole or recess in a cartilage or bone, and then crosslinked into a hydrogel that has the DVC particles therein.

An implantable composition can include methacrylated solubilized devitalized cartilage (MeSDVC) with or without devitalized cartilage (DVC) particles. These compositions can be hydrogel precursors. After implantation, the MeSDVC may be crosslinked so as to form a hydrogel. The crosslinked hydrogel can include the DVC particles. A hydrogel precursor matrix (e.g., not crosslinked) can include a crosslinkable substance that can be crosslinked into a hydrogel, where DVC particles are included in the precursor matrix. The hydrogel precursor matrix can be located in a tissue defect site, such as a hole or recess in a cartilage or bone, and then crosslinked into a hydrogel that has the DVC particles therein.

A composite scaffold having a highly porous interior with increased surface area and void volume is surrounded by a flexible support structure that substantially maintains its three-dimensional shape under tension and provides mechanical reinforcement during repair or reconstruction of soft tissue while simultaneously facilitating regeneration of functional tissue.

A composite scaffold having a highly porous interior with increased surface area and void volume is surrounded by a flexible support structure that substantially maintains its three-dimensional shape under tension and provides mechanical reinforcement during repair or reconstruction of soft tissue while simultaneously facilitating regeneration of functional tissue.

A self-reinforcing composite gel includes a solvent, and a plurality of swellable crosslinked polymer particles dispersed in a crosslinked polymer matrix, wherein the crosslinked polymer matrix and the plurality of swellable crosslinked polymer particles are immersed in the solvent, wherein the swellable crosslinked polymer particles absorb more solvent at equilibrium than the matrix polymer, and wherein the plurality of swellable crosslinked polymer particles swell in the solvent and are present in an amount sufficient to maintain or increase the elastic modulus and/or load-bearing ability of the self-reinforcing composite gel, i.e., compared to that of the crosslinked matrix polymer alone, upon swelling in the solvent.

A self-reinforcing composite gel includes a solvent, and a plurality of swellable crosslinked polymer particles dispersed in a crosslinked polymer matrix, wherein the crosslinked polymer matrix and the plurality of swellable crosslinked polymer particles are immersed in the solvent, wherein the swellable crosslinked polymer particles absorb more solvent at equilibrium than the matrix polymer, and wherein the plurality of swellable crosslinked polymer particles swell in the solvent and are present in an amount sufficient to maintain or increase the elastic modulus and/or load-bearing ability of the self-reinforcing composite gel, i.e., compared to that of the crosslinked matrix polymer alone, upon swelling in the solvent.

The present invention relates to the field of implants for the formation/regeneration of lymph nodes. In particular, the present invention relates to an implant comprising a biodegradable scaffold and lymph node fragments immobilized therein and/or thereon, to a method of manufacturing such an implant and to uses of such an implant.

The present invention relates to the field of implants for the formation/regeneration of lymph nodes. In particular, the present invention relates to an implant comprising a biodegradable scaffold and lymph node fragments immobilized therein and/or thereon, to a method of manufacturing such an implant and to uses of such an implant.

The invention relates to peptides including DEDE(SSD).sub.nDEG indicated by SEQ NO. 1, RRRDEDE(SSD).sub.nDEG indicated by SEQ NO. 2, RRRGDEDE(SSD).sub.nDEG indicated by SEQ NO. 3, and LKKLKKLDEDE(SSD)nDEG indicated by SEQ NO. 4, wherein n is an integer from 2 to 20. The invention also relates to phosphorylating these peptides at multiple amino acid sites by employing casein kinases. These phosphorylated peptides may be used in various applications such as forming mineralized collagen fibrils and biomimetic composites for use in tissue repair and regeneration.