The present invention relates to polymorphisms indicative of altered milk fatty acid composition in female milk-producing cattle. In particular, the present invention provides methods for selecting a cattle which possesses a genotype which in female milk-producing cattle is indicative of a desired milk fatty acid composition and cattle selected by said method. Further, the present invention provides milk produced by the female milk-producing cattle, methods for selective breeding and non-human gametes. Use of a nucleic acid molecule or an oligonucleotide in an in vitro method for determining the presence of at least one allele, which in a female milk-producing cattle is indicative of a desired milk fatty acid composition, is also part of the present invention.

The invention relates to a dissolvable gelatin-based microcarrier generated through droplet microfluidics. Also disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing said microcarrier and its use in the processes of cell culture and cell expansion of cells, such as mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs).

A cell separation device configured for separating cells from microcarriers or spheroids in a liquid is provided. The cell separation device includes a vessel comprising a first port, a second port, and a cavity; and a porous mesh disposed within the cavity to divide the cavity into a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the first port is in communication with the first compartment of the cavity, the first port located to a first side of the porous mesh, wherein the second port is in communication with the second compartment of the cavity, the second port located to a second side of the porous mesh, and wherein the porous mesh is positioned within the cavity to have a substantially vertical orientation or an inclined orientation with respect to a flow of liquid through the porous mesh.

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.

The present invention is to provide a cell chip and a three-dimensional tissue chip and a production method therefor such that even when a highly viscous cell-containing solution is a material, the highly safe and reproducible cell chip or three-dimensional tissue chip with a desired application volume can be produced within a short time and in a large quantity so as to have a desired cell density and exhibit high cell viability.

Provided herein are methods of perfusion culturing an adherent mammalian cell using a shake flask and a plurality of microcarriers, and various methods that utilize these culturing methods.

A biomimetic microtube and a preparation method thereof are provided. A coaxial pipe is used to form a biomimetic microtube having a core solution and a wall surrounding the core solution. In the preparation method, some various processing methods can be used to increase the roughness, porosity, and hardness of the wall of the biomimetic microtube.

Disclosed is a skin-on-a-chip, which more closely resembles real skin by simulating the repetition of contraction and relaxation due to stretching of skin cells, by embedding a permanent magnet in the skin-on-a-chip. The skin-on-a-chip includes a connector that causes a linear motion in the skin cells of the chip when driven by a linear drive device outside the chip, which provides forward and backward movement, to thereby simulate contraction and relaxation of skin.

Microcarriers, matrices and scaffolds for growing mammalian cells are provided which include copolymer particles and matrices comprising of polysaccharide-polyamine copolymers. The copolymeric particles and matrices have a pore size of at least 50 microns and permit the mammalian cells to grow both on an exterior surface of the particles and matrices and within an interior of the particles and matrices. Methods for making such microcarriers, matrices and scaffolds, and compositions are also provided. Methods for growing mammalian cells utilizing such microcarriers, matrices and scaffolds and compositions are also provided.

In one aspect, the present invention provides, for example, an improved method for identifying an epitope on a protein, comprising the following steps: (A) contacting a major histocompatibility complex (MHC molecule)-expressing cell differentiated from a stem cell or a progenitor cell derived therefrom with a target protein; (B) isolating a complex of a peptide contained in the target protein and the MHC molecule from the MHC molecule-expressing cell; and (C) eluting the peptide from the complex and identifying the peptide.