This disclosure describes methods and apparatuses for creating or using a fibrous cell substrate that is formed in a mold using temperature and wettability gradients and that upon which cells can be grown. The disclosed method can include utilizing a temperature gradient and a wettability gradient within a mold to form a porous cell substrate. In particular, the temperature and wettability gradients control nucleation and growth of crystals within the cell substrate solution to form parallel layers of cell substrate. The crystals can be sublimated by freeze drying and the porous cell substrate is seeded. More specifically, the disclosed method includes using pressure and an increased cell mixture viscosity to seed cells deep within the cell substrate. This disclosure also describes an apparatus for forming the structured porous cell substrate.

This disclosure describes methods and apparatuses for creating or using a fibrous cell substrate that is formed in a mold using temperature and wettability gradients and that upon which cells can be grown. The disclosed method can include utilizing a temperature gradient and a wettability gradient within a mold to form a porous cell substrate. In particular, the temperature and wettability gradients control nucleation and growth of crystals within the cell substrate solution to form parallel layers of cell substrate. The crystals can be sublimated by freeze drying and the porous cell substrate is seeded. More specifically, the disclosed method includes using pressure and an increased cell mixture viscosity to seed cells deep within the cell substrate. This disclosure also describes an apparatus for forming the structured porous cell substrate.

Embodiments described herein generally provide for expanding cells in a cell expansion system. The cells may be grown in a bioreactor, and the cells may be activated by an activator (e.g., a soluble activator complex). Nutrient and gas exchange capabilities of a closed, automated cell expansion system may allow cells to be seeded at reduced cell seeding densities, for example. Parameters of the cell growth environment may be manipulated to load the cells into a particular position in the bioreactor for the efficient exchange of nutrients and gases. System parameters may be adjusted to shear any cell colonies that may form during the expansion phase. Metabolic concentrations may be controlled to improve cell growth and viability. Cell residence in the bioreactor may be controlled. In embodiments, the cells may include T cells. In further embodiments, the cells may include T cell subpopulations, including regulatory T cells (Tregs), for example.

The present disclosure provides extruded or spun, semi-permeable, porous hollow fibres, comprising covalent ester, thioester and/or amide crosslinked polypeptides as well as processes for their production. The hollow fibres may be produced from protein, protein extracts, and/or protein isolates derived from plants, animals, bacteria, algae, archaea, and/or fungi, and in certain embodiments are intended to be suitable for human and/or animal ingestion. In some embodiments, the hollow fibres may be designed to be used in the production of cartridges that are compatible with existing and/or novel bioreactor platforms, for harbouring cell cultures in cultured meat production.

Improved nerve regeneration scaffolds are disclosed, which include a plurality of modified nanotube yarn bundles disposed of within the scaffold lumen. The modified nanotube yarn bundles have enhanced hydrophilicity and water absorption. They are separated by distances to form channels corresponding to nerve fiber diameters to be occupied by regenerative nerve tissues. The channel walls have gaps between the yarn bundles for enhanced permeability. The scaffolds have reduced inflammatory infiltration and rejection response and support individual nerve fiber regrowth with a reduced likelihood of undesirable outcomes, such as nerve pain or reduced nerve function.

A cell culture tool configured to be produced in a simple facility to obtain a cell mass having a desired shape. The cell culture tool includes a cell culture base layer that contains a cell culture base. The cell culture base layer has a cell adhesive area to which a cell is adherable and a cell adhesion inhibitory area where cell adhesion is inhibited. The cell adhesion inhibitory area includes a modified product of the cell culture base.

Embodiments described herein generally provide for expanding cells in a cell expansion system. The cells may be grown in a bioreactor, and the cells may be activated by an activator (e.g., a soluble activator complex). Nutrient and gas exchange capabilities of a closed, automated cell expansion system may allow cells to be seeded at reduced cell seeding densities, for example. Parameters of the cell growth environment may be manipulated to load the cells into a particular position in the bioreactor for the efficient exchange of nutrients and gases. System parameters may be adjusted to shear any cell colonies that may form during the expansion phase. Metabolic concentrations may be controlled to improve cell growth and viability. Cell residence in the bioreactor may be controlled. In embodiments, the cells may include T cells. In further embodiments, the cells may include T cell subpopulations, including regulatory T cells (Tregs), for example.