Thin film devices, e.g., multilayer thin film devices, that encapsulate cells for transplantation into a subject are provided. Also provided are methods of using and methods of preparing the subject devices. The thin film devices include a first porous polymer layer and a second porous polymer layer that define a lumen therebetween and encapsulate a population of cells within the lumen. The thin film devices can promote vascularization into the lumen of the device via the pores in the first polymer layer and/or second polymer layer; limit foreign body response to the device; limit ingress of cells, immunoglobulins, and cytokines into the lumen via the first and the second polymer layers; and release from the first polymer layer and/or the second polymer layer molecules secreted by the population of cells.

The present invention relates to methods and devices for monitoring events occurred in a single cell or examining cell characteristics in a single cell in a massive parallel and real-time manner. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a single-cell culturing system for culturing and monitoring a large number of cells independently at single-cell level. In one embodiment, the present invention provides methods and devices for studying or monitoring single-cell response to an external stimulus in a massive parallel and real-time manner. In one embodiment, the present invention provides methods and devices for studying or monitoring drug response at single-cell level in a massive parallel and real-time manner.

Methods of generating organoids on multi-well plates are provided by depositing a polymeric solution comprising cells under conditions which result in a homogenous population of organoids, which can be used for high throughput analysis for drug screening and for determining treatment regimens of a drug.

Hydrogels are based on the reaction of thiols with electron-deficient heteroaromatics. This reaction can take place under physiological conditions and is thus suitable for the encapsulation of cells.

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.

Disclosed are compositions and methods related to the use of adipocytes for sustained release of anti-cancer therapeutics and treatment of cancer. In one aspect, disclosed herein are engineered adipocytes comprising an anti-cancer prodrug (such as, for example, doxorubicin prodrug) and a conjugated fatty acid (such as, for example, one or more isomers of conjugated linoleic acid including, but not limited, to 9cis, 11trans, 10trans, and/or 12cis).

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating liver diseases, comprising a bioimplant comprising mesenchymal stem cells, wherein the bioimplant comprising mesenchymal stem cells of the present invention can be inserted as a one-time subcutaneous or intraperitoneal implant in liver fibrosis animal models, to reduce the levels of AST and ALT, which are indicators of liver damage, as well as the ratio of an area occupied by collagen fibers in liver parenchyma, the number of degenerate hepatic cells, and the number of infiltrated inflammatory cells, and is effective in regenerating the liver, inhibiting liver fibrosis, and increasing the expression of growth factors, and thus can be beneficially used for preventing or treating liver diseases.

The present invention relates to mesenchymal stem cell-derived microparticles having activity that promotes the growth of corneal epithelial stem cells and/or corneal epithelial cells, activity that maintains corneal epithelial stem cells in an undifferentiated state or promotes the formation of colonies thereby, and function that protects corneal epithelium.

Embodiments of systems, methods, and compositions provided herein relate to hollow beads encapsulating single cells. Some embodiments include performing multiple co-assays on a single cell encapsulated within a hollow bead, including nucleic acid sequencing, preparing nucleic acid libraries, determining methylation status, identifying genomic variants, or protein analysis.

The present invention relates to a composition containing injectable mesenchymal stem cell-hydrogel and a method of preparing the same. Specifically, in a mesenchymal stem cell-hydrogel composition for injection prepared by a method of the present invention, since stem cells are attached to scaffolds in hydrogel beads, the stem cells are not easily lost or killed after the injection, and thus there is an advantage that an engraftment rate increases since the paracrine effect of the stem cells is continuously exhibited, and the stem cells are gradually released as hydrogel is degraded. In addition, the present invention has an advantage that healthy cells can be used without damages in cell membranes since injection formulation can be prepared without a treatment with proteolytic enzymes, and also a cryopreservation solution is easily removed from the mesenchymal stem cell-hydrogel beads even after freezing and thawing.