Some embodiments of the invention include methods for growing stem cells comprising growing the stem cells in a cell medium. In certain embodiments, the cell medium has a pH of from about 6.6 to about 7.2. Other embodiments of the invention embodiments include methods for transplanting comprising (a) growing first stem cells in a cell medium having a pH of from about 6.6 to about 7.2, to provide second stem cells and (b) transplanting the second stem cells into a recipient. Other embodiments include the methods where the stem cells that are human stem cells, mouse stem cells, rat stem cells, primate stem cells, or mammalian stem cells. Still other embodiments include growing stem cells in a cell medium having a pH of from about 6.6 to about 7.2 (e.g., from about 6.8 to about 7.0 or about 6.9) that results in modulation of one or more cell properties (e.g., decreased number of cells in the S phase, decreased amount of ROS, etc.) when that property is compared to that of stems cells grown at a pH of about 7.4. Additional embodiments of the invention are also discussed herein.

The present invention relates to the use of a defoaming agent for preventing pellet morphology of thermophilic fungi when grown at acidic pH in chemically defined media. The invention pertains to processes for producing a fermentation product, wherein the thermophilic fungus, e.g. a Rhizomucor species, is grown in submerged culture at acidic pH in a chemically defined medium and wherein the strain is cultured in the presence of a defoaming agent. The defoaming agent can be a vegetable oil such as olive or sun flower oil and the fermentation product can be single cell protein in the form of biomass of the thermophilic fungus for use as a dietary source of protein.

Methods and compositions are described for making phenotypically female fertile animals from XY donor cells and suitable host embryos. Culture media and methods are provided for maintaining XY donor cells in culture that after introduction into a host embryo and gestation in a suitable host will result in fertile XY female animals. Methods and compositions are described for making fertile female animals in an F0 generation from a donor XY cell and a host embryo, as are methods for making F1 progeny that are homozygous for a modification from a heterozygous F0 fertile male and a heterozygous F0 fertile female sibling.

This disclosure relates to growth media and environments for in vitro culturing of cells that produce or are capable of producing antibodies. In certain embodiments, the media comprises IL-6, fibronectin, and typically a saccharide. In certain embodiments, the disclosure contemplates cell culture compositions comprising IL-6 and fibronectin that are derived from proteins secreted from mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs). In certain embodiments, the disclosure contemplates enclosures comprising culture compositions disclosed herein that are in ambient air or optionally in an environment wherein oxygen is absent or at a low concentration.

Methods of protein production in continuous perfusion mammalian cell culture bioreactors are provided. Methods for continuous perfusion culture by allowing cells to self-regulate the rate of addition of perfusion medium to the bioreactor via a pH change are presented. Compositions comprising the perfusion medium as well as the process advantages of using hi-end pH control of perfusion or HIPCOP are also presented.

This disclosure generally relates to cell-based therapies for treatment of visual disorders, including disorders of the cornea. Methods are exemplified for directed differentiation of corneal cells from stem cells. Compositions of corneal endothelial cells and uses thereof are also provided. Exemplary compositions exhibit improved cell density and/or more youthful gene expression relative to cells obtained from donated tissue.

The present invention discloses a pre-stress treatment method for reducing a mortality rate of Haematococcus pluvialis. The method includes the following steps: after the Haematococcus pluvialis is subjected to a logarithmic-growth amplification stage to reach a specific biomass and before the Haematococcus pluvialls enters into an accumulation stage of astaxanthin, performing prestress treatment on the Haematococcus pluvialis, where the prestress treatment indicates adjusting a culture system to include characteristic peaks with wavelength ranges of 430-490 nm and 620-700 nm as spectra parameters. In the present invention, ecological factors in the culture system of the haematococcus pluvialis are adjusted, so that more than 90% of cells therein can detach from flagella in a short time, the walls of the cells are thickened, the cells enter into an ideal immobile cell state in which the astaxanthin can be accumulated, and the mortality rate of the cells is less than 3%, so as to reduce the mortality rate of the cells at an initial stage in which the Haematococcus pluvialis stresses to accumulate the astaxanthin. This reduces the generation of organic matters in an algal liquid, and realizes the purpose of reducing pollution, shortens the accumulation period of the astaxanthin in the Haematococcus pluvialis, and improve the productivity, the quality and yield of the product and the production stability.

Methods for maintaining aggregate stability and pluripotency of human stem cells are provided using chemically-defined culture media that includes heparin sodium salt and polyethylene glycol. Methods of modulating aggregate size and/or stability using chemically-defined culture media are also provided. The methods can be used with, for example, induced pluripotent stem cells or embryonic stem cells. Culture media and kits are also provided.

Delivering a payload across a plasma membrane of a cell includes providing a population of cells and contacting the population of cells with a volume of an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution includes the payload and alcohol content greater than 5 percent concentration. The volume of the aqueous solution may be a function of exposed surface area of the population of cells, or may be a function of a number of cells in the population of cells. Related compositions, apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.

A method of making a flowable, dried agglomerated nutrient medium is provided. The method comprises introducing a nutrient component comprising a powdered nutrient, and an agglomeration liquid, into an agglomerator comprising a flow-through-type agglomeration chamber, wet-massing the nutrient component with the agglomeration liquid in the agglomeration chamber for a predetermined period of time to form agglomerated nutrient medium particles, and exposing the agglomerated nutrient medium particles to drying conditions for a period of time to form the dried, agglomerated nutrient medium. The nutrient component facilitates the growth of a microorganism. Compositions, articles, and kits comprising the flowable, dried agglomerated nutrient medium are also provided.