Compositions useful for propagation of pluripotent stem cells are provided. The compositions comprise a polysaccharide hydrogel linked to a peptide fragment of the extracellular domain of epithelial cadherin. Methods of making the composition, and culturing pluripotent stem cells also are provided.

Disclosed herein are devices for encapsulating biological cells and are suitable to be implanted into a subject. In different aspects of the disclosure, the devices may comprise a plurality of polymer layers. In one aspect, a device comprises a first polymer layer and a second polymer layer. In some cases, the first polymer layer may be a nanoporous polymer layer. In some cases, the second polymer layer may be a macroporous polymer layer. The first and second polymer layers may define a lumen for enclosing a population of cells. In some cases, the device further comprises a third polymer layer. The devices may be used to transplant cells producing therapeutic agents into a subject (e.g., for the treatment of a disease).

Hydrodynamic methods for conformally coating non-uniform size cells and cell clusters for implantation, thus preventing immune rejection or inflammation or autoimmune destruction while preserving cell functionality. A method for conformally coating cells and c clusters with hydrogels that are biocompatible, mechanically and chemically stable and porous, with an appropriate pore cut-off size. The methods of the invention are advantageously reproducible and result in a relatively high yield of coated versus non-coated cell clusters, without compromising cell functionality. Conformal coating devices configured to perform the methods of the invention, methods of optimally utilizing said devices and purifying the coated islets, and coated biomaterials made by said methods.

Methods and systems for measuring viability and function of islet cells or stem cell-derived beta cells in an implantable device featuring setting the temperature of the cells in the implantable device to a low temperature to reduce metabolic levels of the cells and reduce oxygen requirements of the cells, and measuring oxygen consumption rates. An oxygen sensor at the inlet of the implantable device and an oxygen sensor at the outlet of the implantable device are used to calculate oxygen consumption rates of the cells, which in turn are indicative of viability. The reduction in temperature can also be used for loading cells into the implantable devices to help reduce ischemic and/or physical injury. The present invention may be used with other cell types, e.g. hepatocytes, heart cells, muscle cells, etc.

An implant for ovarian decline is provided. The implant includes at least an engineered ovarian support cell an extracellular matrix substrate, and a delivery apparatus. In some embodiments, the at least an engineered ovarian support cell includes an engineered granulosa cell. In other embodiments, the at least an engineered ovarian support cell includes an engineered lutein cell. In other embodiments, the at least an engineered ovarian support cell includes an engineered theca cell.

Hydrodynamic methods for conformally coating non-uniform size cells and cell clusters for implantation, thus preventing immune rejection or inflammation or autoimmune destruction while preserving cell functionality. A method for conformally coating cells and c clusters with hydrogels that are biocompatible, mechanically and chemically stable and porous, with an appropriate pore cut-off size. The methods of the invention are advantageously reproducible and result in a relatively high yield of coated versus non-coated cell clusters, without compromising cell functionality. Conformal coating devices configured to perform the methods of the invention, methods of optimally utilizing said devices and purifying the coated islets, and coated biomaterials made by said methods.

The present disclosure discloses methods for culturing stem cells in three-dimensional methods. Said method is either a spheroid-based method or a microcarrier-based method. The process as described herein leads to the expansion of the stem cells to obtain an expanded population of the stem cells, and a stem cell derived-conditioned medium. The present disclosure also discloses an expanded population of the stem cells, and a stem cell derived-conditioned medium obtained from the process as described herein. Further, an exosome preparation obtained from the stem cell derived-conditioned medium is also disclosed herein. The present disclosure also discloses a composition comprising an expanded population of the stem cells, or a stem cell derived-conditioned medium, or an exosome preparation, or combinations thereof. Methods of treatment using the composition as described herein is also disclosed in the present disclosure.

The invention relates to a cellular microcompartment comprising successively, organized around a lumen, at least one layer of pluripotent cells, an extracellular matrix layer and an outer hydrogel layer. The invention also relates to processes for preparing such cellular microcompartments.

A two-component hydrogel matrix system is provided, which system is useful in a variety of cell growth uses, including without limitation three-dimensional culture systems. The components comprise modified hyaluronic acid (HA); and modified elastin-like proteins (ELP). Variables of HELP, including for example, matrix stiffness, matrix stress relaxation rate, and cell-adhesive-ligand concentration, can be independently and quantitatively specified.

The invention relates to cellular microcompartments, each microcompartment successively comprising the following layers, which are organised around at least one lumen: —at least one inner layer of human cells undergoing cardiac differentiation, expressing at least one gene chosen from PDGFRα, MESP-1, NKX2-5, GATA4, MEF2C, TBX20, ISL1 and TBX5, —at least one intermediate layer of isotonic aqueous solution, and—at least one outer hydrogel layer. The invention also relates to the cardiac tissues obtained from said microcompartments and the use thereof, particularly in the treatment of heart disease.