The present invention relates a method for chemical testing, comprising culturing cells in a first plant-derived nanofibrillar cellulose (NFC) hydrogel to obtain in vivo like cells; exposing the in vivo like cells to a test chemical; optionally within another plant-derived NFC hydrogel; incubating the exposed in vivo like cells; detecting during or after incubating, the impact of the test chemical on the in vivo like cells by at least one detection; and removing the plant-derived NFC hydrogel at least once at any stage after obtaining the in vivo like cells and before at least one detection used for detecting the impact of the test chemical on the in vivo like cells. The invention further relates to the use of plant-derived NFC hydrogel in a method for chemical testing, the use of in vivo like cells obtained by culturing cells in plant-derived NFC hydrogel for chemical testing and to a kit for chemical testing comprising plant-derived NFC hydrogel, instructions and a cell or test chemical library.

A subject of the invention is an infusible three-dimensional network of crosslinked polymer fibres, suitable as a cell support, and in particular characterized in that the diameter of said fibres is comprised between 0.1 and 1.5 m, the size of the interstices between said fibres is comprised between 0.1 and 50 m.sup.2, and the stiffness of said network is characterized by an elastic modulus comprised between 0.01 and 10,000 kPa, preferably between 0.1 and 10,000 kPa, preferably between 0.1 and 1,000 kPa, more preferentially between 0.1 and 300 kPa.

Another subject of the invention is a process for preparing a three-dimensional network of crosslinked polymer fibres, comprising a step of synthesis of said network by electrospinning of a solution of acrylic-type polymer, more particularly PAN, which is optionally supplemented by a stiffening agent, followed by a step of heat treatment under an oxidizing atmosphere and at a temperature comprised between 40 C. and 400 C., preferably between 200 C. and 300 C.

Finally, a subject of the invention is an infusible three-dimensional network of crosslinked polymer fibres as a cell support, that can be used in particular for studying cell survival and migration.

Described are methods and devices for enrichment and in situ expansion of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from biological samples. The methods may include detecting at least one or more of cell adhesion molecules as epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarker. Also described is device for detecting or enriching CTCs. The surface of the device may provide at least one or more of cell binding ligands such as ECM or cadherin derived peptide motif to detect the EMT biomarker. Also described is a surface to remove leukocytes from biological samples, leading to efficient enrichment of CTCs from the biological samples.

The invention relates to the discovery of tissue mimicking constructs and compositions that can be used to study the growth and development of cells in vitro. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods of culturing cells on the tissue mimicking polymer microspheres. In other embodiments, the invention provides methods of treating a disease or disorder using the compositions and constructs of the invention.

A cell culture container may include an inlet through which a fluid is supplied, an outlet through which a fluid is discharged, and a flow path configured to connect the inlet to the outlet and accommodate a cell culture substrate containing gold nanoparticles and capable of being denatured by heating.

Thermo-responsive microgel particles can be used to provide a thermally triggered liquid-like solid (LLS) support scaffold for immobilizing and growing three-dimensional cell cultures. Various applications and devices using such microgel particles, and methods of using such microgel particles, are also described.

A lattice structure for culturing cells in a bioreactor is effective for culturing high density cells and maintaining cell type homogeneity. The lattice structure includes a plurality of channels forming a set of channels, each of the plurality of channels extending between a first channel pore surface and a second channel pore surface and each of the plurality of channels having a first channel pore and a second channel pore altogether forming a plurality of channel pores on each of the first channel pore surface and the second channel pore surface, wherein each of the channel pores has an area of between about 0.01 mm.sup.2 to about 1 mm.sup.2, and wherein the lattice structure is made of a biocompatible rigid material having a Young's modulus value of at least 0.5 GPa.

The subject invention concerns novel and translatable materials and methods for expansion of stem cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), that significantly improve translational success of the cells in the treatment of various conditions, such as stroke. The subject invention utilizes cell self-aggregation as a non-genetic means to enhance their therapeutic potency in a microcarrier bioreactor. The subject invention integrates a cell aggregation process in a scalable bioreactor system. In one embodiment of the method, thermally responsive microcarriers (TRMs) are utilized in conjunction with a bioreactor system. Cells are cultured in a container or vessel in the presence of the TRMs wherein cells adhere to the surface of the TRMs. Once cells are adhered to the TRMs they can be cultured at a suitable temperature for cell growth and expansion, e.g., at about 37 C. After a period of time sufficient for cell growth and expansion on the TRMs, the cell culture temperature is reduced so that the cells detach from the TRMs. The detached cells are allowed to form cell clusters that are then cultured under conditions such that the clusters aggregate to form 3D aggregates. The 3D aggregates can be collected and treated to dissociate the cells (e.g., using enzymatic treatment, such as trypsinization). Dissociated cells can then be used for transplantation in methods of treatment or for in vitro characterization and study.

By using a graft polymer comprising a dendritic polymer with a styrene skeleton and a hydrophilic polymer grafted to a terminal thereof, a temperature-responsive substrate for cell culture having a temperature-responsive surface for cell culture that allows cells to be cultured with high efficiency and which yet allows cultured cells to be exfoliated in a short period of time and with high efficiency by simply changing the temperature of the substrate surface can be prepared conveniently. If this temperature-responsive substrate for cell culture is used, cells obtained from a variety of tissues can be cultured with high efficiency. If this culture method is utilized, cultured cells can be exfoliated intact in a short amount of time with high efficiency. In addition, by using this graft polymer, a wide range of peptides and proteins can also be separated by simply changing the temperature of a chromatographic carrier. This allows for convenient separation procedure and improves the efficiency of separating operations. What is more, the stereoregularity of the dendritic polymer per se may be utilized to enable separation of solutes based on differences in their molecular structures.

Provided herein are, inter alia, compositions and methods for using genetically modified bioactive renal cell populations to provide regenerative effects to a native kidney for the treatment of chronic kidney disease. In certain embodiments, the aim is to effectively provide a universal donor immune-privileged renal cell population where gene editing is used to generate a modified allogeneic renal cell population to be administered to patients without immunosuppression.