A method for easily and efficiently preparing a functional and matured neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in vitro includes producing an artificial neuromuscular junction by transiently expressing MyoD in pluripotent stem cells to induce myogenic differentiation, and culturing the cells obtained by transiently expressing MyoD in pluripotent stem cells to induce myogenic differentiation in a medium containing a neurotrophic factor to induce neuronal differentiation.

An in vitro microfluidic gut-on-chip is described herein that mimics the structure and at least one function of specific areas of the gastrointestinal system in vivo. In particular, a multicellular, layered, microfluidic culture is described, allowing for interactions between lamina propria-derived cells and gastrointestinal epithelial cells and endothelial cells. This in vitro microfluidic system can be used for modeling inflammatory gastrointestinal tissue, e.g., Crohn's disease, colitis and other inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders. These multicellular, layered microfluidic gut-on-chip further allow for comparisons between types of gastrointestinal tissues, e.g., small intestinal deuodejeum, small intestinal ileium, large intestinal colon, etc., and between disease states of gastrointestinal tissue, i.e. healthy, pre-disease and diseased areas. Additionally, these microfluidic gut-on-chips allow identification of cells and cellular derived factors driving disease states and drug testing for reducing inflammation.

The present invention relates to three-dimensional (3D) tissue constructs and methods of using such 3D tissue constructs to screen for neurotoxic agents. In particular, provided herein are methods of producing and using complex, highly uniform human tissue models comprising physiologically relevant human cells, where the tissue models have the degree of sample uniformity and reproducibility required for use in quantitative high-throughput screening applications.

The present disclosure provides methods of bioengineering sphincters having autologous smooth muscle cells isolated from human internal anal sphincter and autologous enteric neurospheres (neural progenitor cells) isolated from human small intestine (jejunum). The isolated neural progenitor cells and smooth muscle cells are co -cultured using dual layered hydrogels and allowed to form circular, intrinsically innervated internal anal sphincter constructs. Such innervated internal anal sphincter constructs, bioengineered internal anal sphincter constructs are useful as additive implants in the treatment of fecal incontinence.

Provided is a tissue gel for transplantation and a method of preparing the same, including: a process (a) of preparing a composition containing a decellularized extracellular matrix; a process (b) of maintaining a tensile state by applying a tensile force to a stretching device made of an elastic polymer material; and a process (c) of injecting the composition prepared in the process (a) into the stretching device maintained in the tensile state in the process (b), allowing the composition to crosslink, and then removing the tensile force to align fibrils in the decellularized extracellular matrix in one direction.

The present invention relates to a device which can serve as a model of a hemato-encephalic barrier (HEB) comprising two compartments in which certain cell types are arranged. The invention also relates to the method for preparing said device and the use thereof as a model of the HEB.

In various aspects and embodiments, the present invention provides methods for preparing innervated tissue. In various embodiments the invention further provides innervated tissue generated using the methods described herein. In various embodiments the inclusion of optogenetically transducible TENGs or Micro-TENNs in the innervated tissue allows the modulation of tissue or organs by using light to stimulate the optogenetically transducible TENGs or Micro-TENNs.

A method for producing a brain organoid is provided, including a step of culturing a neuroectoderm marker-positive cell aggregate in a medium containing an extracellular matrix with a concentration of more than 10% by volume.

The present disclosure provides methods and compositions useful for the production of slaughter-free meat products, and the characterizations of the same. The slaughter-free meat products contain several points of distinction when compared to conventional meat procured by harvesting the tissue of a dead animal. Such points of distinction include, but are not limited to, significantly reduced or substantially no: steroid hormones, antibiotics, or microbial contamination; lower fat content; no vasculature; and extended shelf life both at room temperature and when refrigerated.

Provided is a large-scale cell culture system for producing products without harming animals. Also provided is a method for making meat products using this cell culture system. Further provided is a method for making personal care products using this cell culture system, as well as a method for making nutritional supplements using this cell culture system.