The present invention provides a system for conservation and efficient use of energy through controlling and monitoring of devices. At least one processing controller connected to a sensor and a device, the processing controller configured to receive the ambient data from the sensor and operating parameters from the device; a user module configured to IO receive input parameters from a plurality of users; a central processing module, connected to the structure, the user module, and the admin module through wired and/or wireless connection, the central processing module configured to process the data received from the processing controller adapted in the zone of the structure and generate the optimum parameters for operating the device adapted in the zone to the structure.

The methods and compositions as disclosed herein describe the making of mature stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes for applications such as disease modeling, cardiotoxicity screening, drug screening and identification, among other uses. The methods involve physical and biochemical cues that promote a transition of stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes from a fetal phenotype to a more mature phenotype that more closely resembles that of adult cardiomyocytes.

A method of screening a composition for cardiotoxicity comprising contacting the composition with cardiomyocytes that have increased fatty acid oxidation and/or diminished glucose oxidation. The cardiomyocytes are preferably prepared by overexpression of COX7A1. The cardiomyocytes are preferably provided in a micropatterned co-culture to provide a mature functional hPSC-CM cardiotoxicity model.

A method and device for standardizing myoblast differentiation into myotubes, including a substrate (1) and at least one cell-adhesive pattern (2) for culturing myoblasts on the substrate. The pattern (2) has an elongated surface. A central region (2C) and two lateral regions (2L) extend from the central region in both directions along a longitudinal axis of the pattern. The ratio between the maximum width (W.sub.C) of the central region (2C) and the maximum width (W.sub.L) of the lateral regions (2L) is greater than or equal to 2. The ratio between the length (L) and the maximum width (W.sub.C) of the pattern (2) is less than or equal to 4. The method includes providing a device as described above, depositing myoblasts on at least one cell-adhesive pattern of the device, culturing the myoblasts in a differentiation medium to promote cell differentiation into myotubes and constrain elongation of the myotubes.

Engineered, living, three-dimensional liver tissue constructs comprising: one or more layers, wherein each layer contains one or more liver cell types, the one or more layers cohered to form a living, three-dimensional liver tissue construct. In some embodiments, the constructs are characterized by having at least one of: at least one layer comprising a plurality of cell types, the cell types spatially arranged relative to each other to create a planar geometry; and a plurality of layers, at least one layer compositionally or architecturally distinct from at least one other layer to create a laminar geometry. Also disclosed are arrays and methods of making the same. Also disclosed are engineered, living, three-dimensional liver tissue constructs for use in the augmentation or restoration of one or more liver functions, by in vivo delivery of tissue or utilization of tissue in an extracorporeal device.

The described invention provides an ex vivo dynamic multiple myeloma cancer niche contained in a pumpless perfusion culture device. The dynamic multiple myeloma cancer niche includes (a) a three-dimensional tissue construct containing a dynamic ex vivo bone marrow niche, which contains a mineralized bone-like tissue containing viable osteoblasts self-organized into cohesive multiple cell layers and an extracellular matrix secreted by the viable adherent osteoblasts; and a microenvironment dynamically perfused by nutrients and dissolved gas molecules; and (b) human myeloma cells seeded from a biospecimen composition comprising mononuclear cells and the multiple myeloma cells. The human myeloma cells are in contact with osteoblasts of the bone marrow niche, and the viability of the human myeloma cells is maintained by the multiple myeloma cancer niche.

A construct that supports cell attachment and alignment including a substrate that is incompatible with photolithography conditions, containing a physical pattern in at least part of one surface, the physical pattern optionally bearing a coating of a metal alkoxide, oxide or mixed oxide-alkoxide thereon and a Self-Assembled Monolayer of Phosphonate (SAMP) covalently attached thereto, which phosphonate contains functionality adapted for cell binding. The construct optionally also contains cells attached thereto. Also disclosed are methods of preparing such a construct.

This application provides constructs for use as complex cell systems of a desired shape and methods of preparing thereof. The constructs comprise cells contained within a biocompatible gel matrix deposited on a scaffold material optionally cut into defined patterns and impregnated with a crosslinking agent, wherein the biocompatible gel matrix crosslinks upon contact with the crosslinking agent on the scaffold. By stacking multiple alternating layers of the scaffold material cut into defined patterns and the biocompatible gel matrix deposited on the scaffold in defined patterns, complex 3D structures with features like embedded channels are be formed. These complex cell system constructs can be used as in vitro models of biological processes.

The present invention is drawn to the generation of micropatterns of biomolecules and cells on standard laboratory materials through selective ablation of a physisorbed biomolecule with oxygen plasma. In certain embodiments, oxygen plasma is able to ablate selectively physisorbed layers of biomolecules (e.g., type-I collagen, fibronectin, laminin, and Matrigel) along complex non-linear paths which are difficult or impossible to pattern using alternative methods. In addition, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to the micropatterning of multiple cell types on curved surfaces, multiwell plates, and flat bottom flasks. The invention also features kits for use with the subject methods.

Disclosed are compositions and methods for engineering muscle tissue such as cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle. Tissue engineering platforms use a substrate and a protein micropattern. The protein micropattern forms a plurality of protein lanes and at least one protein bridge that connects adjacent protein lanes having a connection angle is less than 90 degrees. Tissue engineering platforms can promote muscle cell alignment and be used for cell-based pharmacological studies. Also disclosed are degradable substrates for transferring a protein micropattern in the form of a plurality of protein lanes and at least one protein bridge that connects adjacent protein lanes having a connection angle is less than 90 degrees.