A recombinant spider silk protein, consisting of no more than 800 amino acids, comprising a set of domains arranged according to the formula (NT)-REP-CT, wherein: the optional NT-domain, if present, comprises a sequence of 100 to 160 amino-acid residues derived from the N-terminal domain of a spider silk protein; the REP-domain comprises a sequence of 30 to 600 amino acid residues derived from the repetitive segment of a spider silk protein; and the CT-domain comprises a sequence of 70 to 120 amino acid residues derived from the C-terminal domain of a spider silk protein selected from: a sequence of 72 to 110 amino acid residues derived from the C-terminal domain of a spider silk protein, wherein the sequence comprises at least 7 residues independently selected from K, R, E and D; a sequence having at least 85% identity to SEQ ID NO: 15 or any one of SEQ ID NOs: 62-65 or 67-73; and a sequence having at least 70% identity to SEQ ID NOs: 64 or any one of SEQ ID NOs: 62-65 or 67-73, wherein the sequence comprises at least 7 residues independently selected from K, R, E and D.

A modular light for removably attaching to a bio-printer robot end effector, where the light includes: an annular modular light ring housing with an annular opening for receiving the end effector of the bioprinting robot; the housing substantially surrounding a dispensing tip of the end effector; a power supply interface to receive electrical power from the end effector; a plurality of LEDs positioned annularly around the end effector within the annular modular light ring housing, where the plurality of LEDs are spaced in at least two annular rows, where each of the at least two annular rows are at a unique elevational position within the annular modular light ring housing with respect to a light output plane of the annular modular light ring housing; the LEDs are in electrical communication with the power supply interface; and a controller communicatively coupled with the LEDs and the power supply interface.

Provided herein are methods for simultaneous spatio-temporal measurement of gene expression and cellular activity.

[Problem] To provide a supporting bath useful for three-dimensional tissue culture and a method for producing cultured three-dimensional tissue by using the supporting bath. [Solution] Use of a supporting bath for three-dimensional tissue culture, that comprises polymer and water, wherein a thixotropic gel is formed in the bath with the gel being dissolvable in solvent. Also, use of a method for producing the supporting bath.

An apparatus can include a triply periodic minimal surface. The apparatus can include a 3D scaffold formed from the triply periodic minimal surface. The apparatus can include one or more channels formed by the 3D scaffold. A method of forming a gas exchange unit can include printing a 3D scaffold formed from a triply periodic minimal surface. The 3D scaffold can include a vascular network configured to conduct a fluid. The 3D scaffold can include one or more channels configured to hold a gas. The vascular network can be embedded inside walls of the 3D scaffold. The one or more channels can be positioned between the walls of the 3D scaffold.

The present disclosure relates to improved methods for generating multicellular spheroids. In embodiments, an improved method may comprise (a) providing cells capable of spheroid formation; (b) centrifuging the cells; (c) adding extracellular matrix to the cells of (b) to produce a cell suspension comprising a desired concentration of extracellular matrix; and (d) allowing at least one spheroid to form; wherein (b) is performed before (c). In embodiments, cells may be seeded on a tissue culture apparatus before extracellular matrix is added to the cells. In embodiments, spheroids may be characterized, analyzed, challenged, otherwise tested, or a combination thereof. In embodiments, cells may be seeded in a volume of media that is a fraction of a volume of media that is desired for characterization, analysis, challenging, otherwise testing, or a combination thereof.

A method of manufacturing a microstructure comprises printing a positive mold structure, filling the positive mold structure with a second material to form an elastically deformable negative mold structure, filling the negative mold structure with a third material to form the microstructure, and releasing the microstructure from the negative mold structure. Advantageously, the negative mold structure can be stretched to facilitate the release of the microstructure. For example, the microstructure comprises a chamber with capped micropillars for the generation and/or analysis of muscle tissue.

Exemplary embodiments provide in vitro brain models, such as in vitro models of a neurovascular unit or a functionally connected trineural pathway, and systems, devices and methods of use thereof. The present invention provides in vitro brain models, systems, devices and methods that mimic in vivo conditions to, for example, determine the effect of a test compound, such as a drug candidate or a toxin, on various biological responses, such as for example, cell viability, cell growth, migration, differentiation and maintenance of cell phenotype, metabolic activity, structural remodeling and tissue level pre-stress, a neural activity, such as an electrophysiological activity.

The present invention provides a gel formed of fibrin and a molecule generated by thrombin treatment of a chimeric protein that comprises a fibrinogen fragment capable of binding to fibrinogen upon thrombin treatment and a laminin fragment having integrin-binding activity, and optionally further comprises a protein having growth factor-binding activity. The gel of the present invention is suitable as a gel substrate that has properties of the basement membrane and can be used in medical applications.

A scaffold for culturing a cell comprises: a hydrogel; and a plasma-derived or platelet-derived component or a fibrin-containing material adhered to the hydrogel.