One embodiment of the present invention provides a nonwoven fabric containing silk fibers in which an abs intensity ratio [abs (1650)/abs (1620)], which is a ratio of an intensity of a peak positioned in a vicinity of 1650 cm.sup.−1 [abs (1650)] in an infrared absorption spectrum to an intensity of a peak positioned in a vicinity of 1620 cm.sup.−1 [abs (1620)] in an infrared absorption spectrum, is larger than 0.65 and 1.90 or less, and a method for producing the nonwoven fabric containing silk fibers.

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.

The present invention relates to a process of preparation of a biomaterial comprising the steps of: a) Preparing a solution comprising at least one protein having a solubility in water superior or equal to about 10 mg/mL and at least one salt having solubility in water superior or equal to about 500 mg/mL, b) Evaporating the solution obtained in step a) as is, as a foam obtained by foaming the solution obtained in step a), or as a mixture thereof, at a temperature comprised of from 4 to 50° C. in atmospheric pressure or at lower temperatures under vacuum or at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, until the formation of two non-miscible phases or until obtaining a substantially dry solid, thereby obtaining a biomaterial.

The present invention also relates to a biomaterial obtainable by the process, and to the use of the biomaterial as a support for in vitro tissue engineering and/or for in vitro cell culture and in vitro expansion and/or as an implantable medical device, or as a drug.

Engineered tissue models based on three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds, also referred to herein as tissue-engineered 3D models, can be used as in vitro diagnostic and drug screening tools for predicting, preventing and/or treating cancer metastases.

Methods for improved handling of isolated canine umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells (UC-MSCs), including methods for expansion of canine UC-MSCs, cryopreservation and improved post-thaw viability using adherent plates, as well as standardized methods and kits for characterizing isolated canine UC-MSCs in a cell population. Methods for improved detachment or dissociation of adherent cells and new dissociation reagents comprising nattokinase are also disclosed.

The invention relates to a method for detecting residual, undifferentiated pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) in a culture of cells differentiated from PSCs, the method comprising: culturing the cells on a substrate coated with laminin-521 and E-cadherin in a medium comprising a ROCK inhibitor; quantitating in the cultured cells expression of a marker of residual, undifferentiated PSCs; and comparing the marker expression in the cultured cells with the marker expression in a reference culture of cells comprising a known proportion of PSCs, wherein lower marker expression in the culture of cells than marker expression in the reference culture of cells indicates absence of residual, undifferentiated PSCs in the cultured cells or presence of residual, undifferentiated PSCs in the cultured cells at a proportion lower than the known proportion of PSCs in the reference culture of cells. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a therapeutic composition and a method for treating or preventing a condition in a subject.

Compositions, devices and methods are described for improving adhesion, attachment, and/or differentiation of cells in a microfluidic device or chip. In one embodiment, one or more ECM proteins are covalently coupled to the surface of a microchannel of a microfluidic device. The microfluidic devices can be stored or used immediately for culture and/or support of living cells such as mammalian cells, and/or for simulating a function of a tissue, e.g., a liver tissue, muscle tissue, etc. Extended adhesion and viability with sustained function over time is observed.

A cell culture substrate including a fibrous web in which fibers are integrated, and a cell culture coating layer comprising a coating film connecting at least some fibers from among fibers positioned on one surface of the fibrous web, wherein the cell culture coating layer is realized through a fusion protein for cell culture in which a functional peptide is bound to a mussel adhesive protein. Thus, the substrate can be stored at room temperature for a long period of time, i.e., several years, despite containing protein-like substances that aid in cell culture, and thus exhibits very high storage stability. At the same time, the activity of substances that aid in cell culture is maintained at the same level or is reduced only minimally, thus enabling cell culture at an initially designed level.

The present invention is directed to a system including neurons over-expressing UBB+1, organized in a 3-dimensional culture, and method of using same. A process for making the system of the invention is also provided.

Composites based on a polymer and a mixture of proteins derived from a MaSp (major ampullate spidroin) protein are provides. Further, methods for preparation of same, and method of use of the composites are provided.