A method of expanding natural killer cells, comprising: providing a population of internally gelated cells, each of which includes a gelated interior and a fluid cell membrane that contains one or more membrane-bound proteins each or collectively are capable of stimulating expansion of natural killer (NK) cells; and culturing a population of cells containing NK cells, which are capable of responding to the one or more membrane-bound proteins, with the population of internally gelated cells under conditions that allow expansion of NK cells.

A method of inducing expression of a calcium channel and/or a calcium pump in a cell includes: irradiating the cell with light in a wavelength range of 315-325 nm. The calcium channel and/or the calcium pump is/are at least one selected from the group consisting of dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR), voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC), ryanodine receptor (RYR), and sarcoendoplasmic reticulum Ca.sup.2+-ATPase (SERCA).

Methods for producing and utilizing primed platelets are provided, in which platelets are primed for release of specific granule types and/or active compounds by irradiation, for example with electromagnetic radiation, an electrical field, and/or a magnetic field. Such irradiation can be performed ex vivo or in vivo. Such primed platelets have utility in treating inflammatory conditions, neurodegenerative conditions, and/or joint and tendon related injuries.

A cytometer includes an avalanche photodiode, a switching power supply, a filter, and voltage adjustment circuitry. The switching power supply includes a feedback loop. The filter is electrically connected between the switching power supply and the avalanche photodiode. The voltage adjustment circuitry adjusts a voltage on the feedback loop based at least in part on a voltage measured between the filter and the avalanche photodiode.

A group of inventions relates to biotechnology. Disclosed are a printing head and a printing device with fabric spheroids. The printing head includes a system of channels containing input and output channels, upper and lower channels for separation of nutrient medium, as well as a channel for a supporting plunger. Inlet channel has diameter providing movement of spheroid on it only by one. Output channel has diameter not less than diameter of inlet channel, includes input hole for input of printing tool and outlet hole for output of spheroids. Separation channels are made with possibility of connection of nutrient removal device with outlet channel through system of microchannels. Device includes a printing head, a device for feeding spheroids with a nutrient medium into an inlet channel, a device for removal of nutrient medium, a supporting plunger, a printing tool, a system for recording position of the spheroid in the output channel and a computing device for control. Inventions provide higher accuracy of positioning of spheroid on printed surface, improved quality of production of three-dimensional structures and faster printing.

Systems and methods for sorting T cells are disclosed. Autofluorescence data is acquired from individual cells. An activation value is computed using one or more autofluorescence endpoints as an input. The one or more autofluorescence endpoints includes NAD(P)H shortest fluorescence lifetime amplitude component (α.sub.1).

The present disclosure relates to microbial stem cell technology that enables a growing microbial culture to stably maintain two or more distinct cell types in a ratio that can be genetically programmed and/or dynamically controlled during cultivation. It is contemplated that embodiments described herein can be utilized to increase product yield in microbial fermentations and advanced engineering of biomaterials using genetically engineered microbial cells, among others.

The present invention relates to the field of stem cells. More specifically, the present invention provides compositions and methods for using optogenetics to sustain the pluripotency of stem cells. In one embodiment, a vector comprises a nucleotide sequencing encoding a fusion protein comprising the intracellular domain of fibroblast growth factor 1 receptor (FGFR1) and a photoactivatable domain.

The present disclosure provides a method and a platform for disrupting intracellular microtubules. The method and the platform of the present disclosure can accurately and quickly disrupt the microtubule structure in a specific area of a cell by adding a specific chemical small molecule or a specific wavelength of light. In addition to providing important reagents for microtubule-related research in basic science, it may even be developed into a new technology for precise chemotherapy.

Provided are methods and uses for treating a cancer or a tumor. In some aspects, the provided methods and uses involve contacting a sample, e.g., containing tumor cells, with a phthalocyanine dye conjugated to a targeting molecule that binds a protein on tumor cell, and illuminating the sample with a wavelength of light suitable for the activation of the phthalocyanine dye. In some aspects, the methods and uses also involve administering the illuminated sample to a subject, such as a subject having a cancer or a tumor. The methods and uses described herein provide for stimulation of the anti-cancer immune response in the subject and the reduction of growth and/or elimination of cancers, tumors and tumor cells in the subject. Also provided are compositions and combinations for use in the provided methods.