Provided is an isolated TrkB agonist antibody that binds to an epitope contained in one of the extracellular domains of TrkB and is capable of activating TrkB, wherein the extracellular domains comprises extracellular D1, D2, D3, D4, D5 domains and juxtamembrane domain of TrkB. Methods of using the TrkB agonist antibody in treating or reducing the risk of a TrkB associated conditions in a subject, wherein said condition is selected from cell differentiation, synaptic development, neural injury repairing and/or neurite branching.

The invention provides for engineered intestinal construct and methods of making these constructs. The invention also provides for methods of treating short bowel syndrome or methods of repairing an intestine after resection comprising inserting an engineered intestinal construct into the intestine of a subject in need.

The present invention provides methods for treating spinal cord injury (SCI). Such methods involve administering E40RF1+ endothelial cells and neural cells (such as neural progenitor cells (NPCs), glial progenitor cells, or glial cells) to subjects having a SCI. The present invention also provides compositions useful in such methods, such as compositions comprising E40RF1+ endothelial cells and/or neural cells (such as NPCs, glial progenitor cells, or glial cells).

A non-tubular material for nerve regeneration induction, which can be used for the regeneration of a damaged part in a nerve, and which comprises: (A) a crosslinked form produced by crosslinking a low-endotoxin bioabsorbable polysaccharide having a carboxyl group in the molecule with at least one crosslinkable reagent selected from a compound represented by general formula (I) and a salt thereof via covalent bonds; and (B) a bioabsorbable polymer. R.sup.1HN(CH.sub.2).sub.nNHR.sup.2 (I) [wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represent a hydrogen atom or a group represented by formula: COCH(NH.sub.2)(CH.sub.2).sub.4NH.sub.2, and n represents an integer of 2 to 18]. Thus, a medical material that can induce the regeneration of a damaged part in a nerve is provided.

This invention is directed to grafts and compositions and methods of using the same to treat Poland Syndrome.

The present invention relates to preparation and use of biocompatible and electrically conductive 3D hydrogels comprising nanocellulose fibrils, such as disintegrated bacterial nanocellulose, plant derived nanocellulose, tunicate derived nanocellulose, or algae derived nanocellulose, together with carbon nanotubes or graphene oxide, as a biocompatible and conductive 3D hydrogel for diagnostics and intervention to mimic or restore tissue and organ function. Biocompatible conductive 3D hydrogels described in this invention can be extruded, casted or injected. The 3D hydrogels described in this invention are cohesive 3D structures and provide electrical conductivity in wet form. 3D hydrogels described in this invention can be further crosslinked using divalent ions such as Calcium ions which improve mechanical stability. Such crosslinking can take place in an animal or human body in a physiological environment after injection into the tissue. 3D hydrogels are biocompatible and show preferable mechanical properties and electrical conductivity through printed lines (4.10.sup.1 S cm.sup.1). The 3D hydrogels prepared by this invention are suited as bioassays to screen drugs against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, study brain function, and/or be used to link the human brain with electronic and/or communication devices. They can also be injected to replace neural tissue or stimulate guiding of neural cells. They can also be used to inject into the heart and stimulate the heart by using electrical signaling or to repair myocardial infarction.

The bioink disclosed herein includes one or more cells, a carrier material, and microspheres. The microspheres can include one or more biodegradable polymers and one or more compounds, such as a morphogenic compound. The methods disclosed herein can include three-dimensional bioprinting. Additional methods disclosed herein include producing functional tissue.

A method of repairing nerve tissue is provided. A method of inducing neurite outgrowth in neurons also is provided.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides tissue compositions including a first silk scaffold comprising a plurality of epithelial cells, a second silk scaffold comprising a plurality of stromal cells, and a plurality of neurons. In some embodiments, provided compositions can function as physiologically relevant corneal model systems for, inter alia, testing of therapeutics for corneal disease and/or injury and production of functional corneal tissue (e.g., for transplant, etc). The present invention also provides methods for making and using provided compositions.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing of a nerve conduit using bio-printing technology and a nerve conduit prepared by the same, and it can easily prepare a nerve conduit by simulating a nerve bundle and nerve tissue, and the like, by three-dimensionally printing bio-ink comprising a neuronal regeneration material on one side of a porous polymer scaffold.