The current teachings are directed to novel virus free cells lines derived from virus-contaminated staring material, such as an organism or a cell line. Methods for obtaining virus free cell lines obtained from virus-contaminated starting material are also provided. Exemplary virus free cell lines include: novel cell lines derived from a Spodoptera frugiperda cell line contaminated with Sf-rhabdovirus, wherein the novel cell lines lack Sf-rhabdovirus; and novel cell lines derived from a Trichoplusia ni cell line contaminated with an alphanodavirus, wherein the novel cell line lacks an alphanodavirus.

Non-genetically engineered mammalian cells modified by sortase-mediated conjugation of an agent thereto are provided. Methods of conjugating agents to non-genetically engineered mammalian cells using sortase are provided. Methods of using the cells, e.g., for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes, are provided.

The invention discloses a bioreactor with a vessel defining an inner volume, agitation means and at least one addition tube, wherein a delivery orifice in the addition tube is located within the inner volume and a check valve is arranged in proximity of the delivery orifice for allowing flow of a fluid in the direction from the addition tube into the inner volume of the vessel and blocking flow in the reverse direction.

The present invention relates to a device and method for automatically isolating viable cells from connective, epithelial or other tissue, and, if the tissue is multilayered, for automatically separating one tissue layer from another.

A method is provided to transform progenitor cells, fetal cells, stem cells or tumor cells, e.g., in a microfluidic device, with nucleic acid or protein.

The present invention is directed to antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof having binding specificity for PACAP. The antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof comprise the sequences of the V.sub.H, V.sub.L, and CDR polypeptides described herein, and the polynucleotides encoding them. Antibodies and antigen binding fragments described herein bind to and/or compete for binding to the same linear or conformational epitope(s) on human PACAP as an anti-PACAP antibody. The invention contemplates conjugates of anti-PACAP antibodies and binding fragments thereof conjugated to one or more functional or detectable moieties. Methods of making said anti-PACAP antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof are also contemplated. Other embodiments of the invention contemplate using anti-PACAP antibodies, and binding fragments thereof, for the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of diseases and disorders associated with PACAP and conditions where antagonism of PACAP-related activities, such as vasodilation, photophobia, mast cell degranulation, and/or neuronal activation, would be therapeutically beneficial.

The current teachings are directed to virus free cells lines derived from virus-contaminated starting material, such as an organism or a cell line. Methods for obtaining virus free cell lines obtained from virus-contaminated starting material are also provided. Exemplary virus free cell lines include: cell lines derived from a Spodoptera frugiperda cell line contaminated with Sf-rhabdovirus, wherein the cell lines lack Sf-rhabdovirus; and cell lines derived from a Trichoplusia ni cell line contaminated with an alphanodavirus, wherein the cell line lacks an alphanodavirus.

The present application relates to a non-human mammal model of a human neurodegenerative disorder, methods of producing the non-human mammal model, and methods of using the non-human mammal model to identify agents suitable for treating a neurodegenerative disorder. The present application also relates to methods of treating neurodegenerative disorders and restoring normal brain interstitial potassium levels.

The invention provides culture platforms, cell media, and methods of differentiating pluriptent cells into hematopoietic cells. The invention further provides pluripotent stem cell-derived hematopoietic cells generated using the culture platforms and methods disclosed herein, which enable feed-free, monolayer culturing and in the absence of EB formation. Specifically, pluripotent stem cell-derived hematopoietic cell of this invention include, and not limited to, iHSC, definitive hemogenic endothelium, hematopoietic multipotent progenitors, T cell progenitors, NK cell progenitors, T cells, and NK cells.

The present application provides methods of functionalizing an organ or tissue of a mammal by administering a nutrient (e.g., peracetylated N-azido galactosamine Ac4GalNAz) to the mammal or by culturing an organ or tissue in a bioreactor containing such nutrient. The present application also provides methods of selectively functionalizing extracellular matrix (ECM) of an organ or tissue of a mammal by administering a nutrient (e.g., peracetylated N-azido galactosamine Ac4GalNAz) to the mammal. In some aspects, the present application provides a decellularized scaffold of a mammalian organ or tissue comprising an extracellular matrix, wherein the extracellular matrix of the decellularized scaffold is functionalized with a chemical group that is reactive in a bioorthogonal chemical reaction, such as an azide chemical group. The present application also provides biological prosthetic mesh and mammalian organs and tissues for transplantation prepared according to the methods of the application.