The present invention relates to a method for obtaining a neural micros-phere, comprising the steps of culturing pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), differentiating the PSCs into neural stem precursor blast cells, aggregating the neural stem precursor blast cells to form a neural microsphere, allowing the neural stem precursor blast cells of the neural microsphere to further mature, and collecting the neural microsphere.

Engineered tissue models based on three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds, also referred to herein as tissue-engineered 3D models, can be used as in vitro diagnostic and drug screening tools for predicting, preventing and/or treating cancer metastases.

The present application relates to fibers having a diameter of 1 nm to 10,000 nm, of one or more biocompatible polymers, wherein the polymers have a backbone which includes a positively charged component from a zwitterionic moiety. Additionally, this application discloses an implantable therapeutic delivery system and its method of formation, comprising a housing defining a chamber, wherein said housing is porous and formed from the fibers. Inside of the housing includes a preparation of cells which release a therapeutic agent from the chamber. The implantable therapeutic delivery system can be used in the treatment of diabetes.

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.

Sub-millimeter scale three-dimensional (3D) structures are disclosed with customizable chemical properties and/or functionality. The 3D structures are referred to as drop-carrier particles. The drop-carrier particles allow the selective association of one solution (i.e., a dispersed phased) with an interior portion of each of the drop-carrier particles, while a second non-miscible solution (i.e., a continuous phase) associates with an exterior portion of each of the drop-carrier particles due to the specific chemical and/or physical properties of the interior and exterior regions of the drop-carrier particles. The combined drop-carrier particle with the dispersed phase contained therein is referred to as a particle-drop. The selective association results in compartmentalization of the dispersed phase solution into sub-microliter-sized volumes contained in the drop-carrier particles. The compartmentalized volumes can be used for single-molecule assays as well as single-cell, and other single-entity assays.

Provided herein are high-throughput methods for genetic barcoding and analysis, e.g., for tagging each biomaterial apsule with a barcode cell. These barcode cells are derived from patient samples, and thus embody natural human genetic variation. Also provided are SNP panels that can be used as genetic barcodes to identify the identity of a cell.

Disclosed are microcapsule compositions and methods for encapsulating living cells. The methods include a microencapsulation approach to isolate and culture high-quality stem cells, including human iPSCs, cancer stem cells, cardiac stem cells, and the like. The microencapsulation methods are inspired by the development of blastomeres into a blastocyst within the Zona pellucida of the human female reproductive system. The bioinspired methods include encapsulation of blastomere-like cell clusters in a Zona-like microcapsule including a miniaturized hyaluronic acid-rich core and a semipermeable hydrogel shell. The cell clusters are subsequently cultured to form highly pluripotent spheroids with improved cell quality, homogeneity, and viability. Methods of use of said microcapsules are also disclosed including therapeutic uses related to human iPSC-based personalized medicines.

Described are Neo-Islets comprising: a) dedifferentiated islet cells and mesenchymal and/or adipose stem cells; or b) redifferentiated islet cells and mesenchymal and/or adipose stem cells where the cells have been treated so as to facilitate redifferentiation. Further described herein are methods of generating Neo-Islets, the methods comprising: culturing a) dedifferentiated islet cells and mesenchymal and/or adipose stem cells; or b) redifferentiated islet cells and mesenchymal and/or adipose stem cells; on a surface that promotes the formation of cell clusters. Also described are methods of treating a subject, the methods comprising: providing to the subject Neo-Islets described herein. Additionally described are methods of treating a subject suffering from Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and other types of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, or impaired glucose tolerance by providing to the subject Neo-Islet as described herein. Additionally described are methods of treatment in which intraperitoneal administration of islet-sized Neo-Islets composed of high numbers of mesenchymal stem cells and cultured islet cells, durably and reversibly treats, without hypoglycemia, both streptozotocin-induced and spontaneous Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and other types of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, or impaired glucose tolerance.

Described are Neo-Islets comprising: a) dedifferentiated islet cells and mesenchymal and/or adipose stem cells; or b) redifferentiated islet cells and mesenchymal and/or adipose stem cells where the cells have been treated so as to facilitate redifferentiation. Further described herein are methods of generating Neo-Islets, the methods comprising: culturing a) dedifferentiated islet cells and mesenchymal and/or adipose stem cells; or b) redifferentiated islet cells and mesenchymal and/or adipose stem cells; on a surface that promotes the formation of cell clusters. Also described are methods of treating a subject, the methods comprising: providing to the subject Neo-Islets described herein. Additionally described are methods of treating a subject suffering from Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and other types of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, or impaired glucose tolerance by providing to the subject Neo-Islet as described herein. Additionally described are methods of treatment in which intraperitoneal administration of islet-sized Neo-Islets composed of high numbers of mesenchymal stem cells and cultured islet cells, durably and reversibly treats, without hypoglycemia, both streptozotocin-induced and spontaneous Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and other types of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, or impaired glucose tolerance.

A method for micro-tissue encapsulation of cells includes coating a tissue scaffold stamp with an extracellular matrix compound; depositing the tissue scaffold stamp onto a thermoresponsive substrate; seeding the tissue scaffold stamp with a cell culture; incubating the cell culture on the tissue scaffold stamp at a temperature that is specified, wherein the cell culture forms a cell patch that is attached to the extracellular matrix compound; removing the thermoresponsive substrate by lowering the temperature; removing the tissue scaffold stamp from the cell patch to form a micro-tissue structure by dissolving the tissue scaffold stamp in a solvent; folding the micro-tissue structure by suspending the micro-tissue in the solvent to enable the cell patch to fold the micro-tissue structure; collecting the folded micro-tissue structure from the solvent; and administering the folded micro-tissue structure to an organism.