A method of treating neurodegenerative diseases or disorders, especially Parkinson's disease and a method of inducing neural stem cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The induced neural stem cells can express neural stem cell-related genes and differentiate into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The dopaminergic precursors derived from the induced neural stem cells are transplanted into the striatum of the PD mouse models without any sign of tumorigenesis, thereby improving the behaviors of the PD mouse models and slowing down the progression of Parkinson's disease.

Antibodies, and antigen-binding fragments thereof, that specifically bind to Cluster of Differentiation 1a (CD1a) are provided. Embodiments include uses, and associated methods of using the antibodies, and antigen-binding fragments thereof.

The invention relates to an in vitro method to generate T cell progenitors, comprising the step of culturing CD34+ cells in a medium containing TNF-alpha and/or an antagonist of the Aryl hydrocarbon/Dioxin receptor, in particular StemRegenin 1 (SR1), in presence of a Notch ligand and optionally a fibronectin fragment.

The disclosure discloses a preparation of type I collagen-like fibers and a method for regulating and controlling the periodic length of fiber stripes thereof, belonging to the technical field of genetic engineering. The disclosure produces a three-segment chimeric collagen P-CL-P pattern by inserting a continuous Gly-Xaa-Yaa triplet collagen sequence in the middle based on the N- and C-terminal (GPP).sub.n sequences. The self-assembly is driven by the interaction between the N- and C-terminal (GPP).sub.n triple helixes to form banded fibers with periodic bright and dark stripes. According to the method of the disclosure, a fiber from a clean source, which can self-assemble to form periodic bright and dark stripes can be prepared, the structure of which is similar to type I collagen, the preparation process is simple, the collagen fiber with low cost can be produced on a large scale, and the method has broad application prospects in the field of biological materials.

The present disclosure provides anti-α4β7 antibodies that bind human α4β7, their methods of making, and their uses to treat patients with HIV infection.

Provided are novel fully human monoclonal antibodies that bind to human LAG-3. It also provides the methods of hybridoma generation using humanized rats, the nucleic acid molecules encoding the anti-LAG-3 antibodies, expression vectors and host cells used for the expression of anti-LAG-3 antibodies. The invention further provides the methods for validating the function of antibodies in vitro. The antibodies of invention provide a potent agent for the treatment of multiple cancers via modulating human immune function.

Compositions, devices and methods are described for improving adhesion, attachment, and/or differentiation of cells in a microfluidic device or chip. In one embodiment, one or more ECM proteins are covalently coupled to the surface of a microchannel of a microfluidic device. The microfluidic devices can be stored or used immediately for culture and/or support of living cells such as mammalian cells, and/or for simulating a function of a tissue, e.g., a liver tissue, muscle tissue, etc. Extended adhesion and viability with sustained function over time is observed.

Compositions, devices and methods are described for improving adhesion, attachment, and/or differentiation of cells in a microfluidic device or chip. In one embodiment, one or more ECM proteins are covalently coupled to the surface of a microchannel of a microfluidic device. The microfluidic devices can be stored or used immediately for culture and/or support of living cells such as mammalian cells, and/or for simulating a function of a tissue, e.g., a liver tissue, muscle tissue, etc. Extended adhesion and viability with sustained function over time is observed.

The present invention relates to Fc variants having decreased affinity for FcγRIIb, methods for their generation, Fc polypeptides comprising optimized Fc variants, and methods for using optimized Fc variants.

Compositions, devices and methods are described for improving adhesion, attachment, and/or differentiation of cells in a microfluidic device or chip. In one embodiment, one or more ECM proteins are covalently coupled to the surface of a microchannel of a microfluidic device. The microfluidic devices can be stored or used immediately for culture and/or support of living cells such as mammalian cells, and/or for simulating a function of a tissue, e.g., a liver tissue, muscle tissue, etc. Extended adhesion and viability with sustained function over time is observed.