Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to compositions that include hydrogel-encapsulated/dispersed cells, compositions including hydrogel-encapsulated/dispersed cells, and to processes for forming such hydrogel-encapsulated/dispersed cells and compositions thereof. The compositions can be used for, e.g., therapeutic applications. In some examples, the hydrogel-encapsulated/dispersed cells are formed using photoreactive groups chemically attached to polyethylene glycol to form a material which, upon exposure to a desired wavelength or wavelength range of light, reacts to form a cross-linked hydrogel network.

A method of culturing Haematococcus species for manufacturing of astaxanthin comprising the steps of: providing a substrate, arranging the Haematococcus species on the surface of the substrate, exposing the Haematococcus species arranged on the substrate to high light intensities from the beginning of a culturing process and avoiding a two-step culturing process of the Haematococcus species with a first step which is an initial culturing taking place by exposure of the Haematococcus species to low light energy followed by a second step of subsequent culturing of the Haematococcus species by exposure of the Haematococcus species to higher light energy than applied in the first step to induce astaxanthin formation, and optionally harvesting the cultured Haematococcus species and/or isolating astaxanthin.

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 current invention relates to finding that stem cell derived, for example induced pluripotent stem cell derived, cardiomyocytes with both a matured electrophysiological phenotype and optical excitability for high-fidelity beating frequency modulation may be obtained. With the method of the invention stem cell derived cardiomyocytes may obtained that show a mature phenotype in comparison to the same stem cell derived cardiomyocytes not be subjected to the method of the invention disclosed herein, the latter displaying an immature phenotype.

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.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a composition comprising at least three layers. Layers one and two each either comprises a sensitizer or an emitter, typically a metal ion or a dye, and the third layer may or may not comprise a sensitizer or emitter. Upon exposure to light, such as infrared light, the composition produces visible and/or UV light. The composition may further comprise a capping moiety, a therapeutic agent, an uptake enhancer, a detection moiety that binds to a desired target, a quenching moiety, or a combination thereof. The composition may be a particle, such as a nanoparticle, or it may be a planar composition. Also disclosed are embodiments of a method for using the composition, including, but not limited to, a method for delivering a therapeutic agent, or a method for detecting a target, such as a biological target.

An apparatus, system, and method for studying protein folding in the native cellular environment is provided. The invention, termed pcIC-FPOP, combines pulse-chase experiments with in-cell protein footprinting coupled to mass spectrometry. This enables very high resolution information on the folding or mis-folding of proteins. The system (100) includes a multi-well plate (110), an incubator (120), a stage (130), a subsystem of reservoirs (172) and pumps (174), a laser source (140) and beam steering optics (150), and a computer system (160) programmed with a control module (162) to control the operation of the laser (140), optics (150), incubator (120), stage (130), or pumps (174), or some combination. This method permits studies that fill gaps in knowledge on protein folding and its role in disease.

A method of fabricating a microchannel device is provided. The method includes determining, based on a plurality of design criteria, a microchannel vascular network design. The microchannel vascular network design includes a first channel network, a second microchannel network based on the first channel network, and a structure for providing fluidic communication through between the first channel network and the second channel network. The method includes receiving, in electronic form, the microchannel vascular network design at a fabrication system. The fabrication system comprises a pre-polymer solution. The method includes forming, based on the microchannel vascular network design, a microchannel vascular network device of a polymer material at the fabrication system using the pre-polymer solution, thereby fabricating the microchannel vascular network device.

Systems and methods for classifying and/or sorting T cells by activation state are disclosed. The system includes a cell classifying pathway, a single-cell autofluorescence image sensor, a processor, and a non-transitory computer-readable memory. The memory is accessible to the processor and has stored thereon a trained convolutional neural network and instructions. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: a) receive the autofluorescence intensity image; b) optionally pre-process the autofluorescence intensity image to produce an adjusted autofluorescence intensity image; c) input the autofluorescence intensity image or the adjusted autofluorescence intensity image into the trained convolutional neural network to produce an activation prediction for the T cell.

Disclosed are devices for improving viability of isolated islets or -cells and stimulating insulin production from isolated islets or -cells and uses thereof for treating type 1 diabetes.