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.

Provided herein are methods of using adherent placental stem cells and placental stem cell populations, and methods of culturing, proliferating and expanding the same. Also provided herein are methods of differentiating the placental stem cells. Further provided herein are methods of using the placental stem cells to formulate implantable or injectable compositions suitable for administration to a subject. Still further provided herein are provides methods for treating bone defects with stem cells and compositions comprising stem cells.

A cell culture medium comprising adenosine triphosphate; a carrier protein; cholesterol, linoleic acid, and lipoic acid; glutathione; at least one nucleotide salvage pathway precursor base; phosphoethanolamine; selenium; transferrin; triiodothyronine; all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and vitamin C; zinc, magnesium, and copper; an agent that increases intracellular cAMP; epidermal growth factor (EGF); hydrocortisone; insulin; and charcoal stripped fetal bovine serum, wherein said cell culture medium is substantially free, if not entirely free, of vitamin D, androgenic hormones, androgenic ligands, estrogenic hormones, estrogenic ligands, and/or androgenic receptors.

A method for expanding a population of T-cells is provided in which isolated activated Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) are cultured in a medium comprising transforming growth factor beta (TGF-) under conditions in which the production of effector T-cells having therapeutic activity against malignant disease is favored. The use of TGF- in the production of effector cells in particular V9V2 T-cells is also described and claimed.

Provided is a method of preparing a hydrogel composition including a uniform content of calcium phosphate, wherein a hydrogel composition prepared by the method has a uniform content of calcium phosphate, and thus may be used to quantify phosphates contained in the hydrogel composition. Provided is an in-vitro 3D osteoporosis model including a calcium phosphate hydrogel composition, wherein osteoblasts and osteoclasts may be three-dimensionally co-cultured inside a biogel, such that the osteoporosis model may be fabricated according to an intended use or clinical stage. Further, the model contains a calcium phosphate hydrogel with a uniform content of phosphate and thus enables quantification of calcium phosphate through measurement of phosphates, and therefore, the model may be used to screen candidate compounds for an osteoporosis drug and may effectively predict therapeutic effects of the drug on osteoporosis.

Embodiments herein relate in vitro methods of stem cell differentiation into thyroid hormone producing cells and tissues, and methods of use of these cells.

The disclosure provides a growth medium and a culturing system for a nitrogen-fixing microorganism. The disclosure also provides methods of enhancing the accumulation of a microbial intracellular storage compound (MISC) in a nitrogen-fixing microorganism. The disclosure further provides biofertilizers comprising a nitrogen-fixing microorganism, as well as methods of improving and/or maintaining crop or plant yield, yield quality, or plant aesthetics, and/or improving soil health using the biofertilizers.

The invention concerns a novel therapeutic comprising a secretome obtained from mesenchymal stem cells of umbilical cord tissue or of wharton's jelly tissue and a formulation or pharmaceutical composition including same; ideally, but not exclusively, for use in treating a wound; a method for making said therapeutic; and a method of treating a wound using said therapeutic.

This disclosure is directed to culture media containing a nicotinamide adenine nucleotide (NAD.sup.+) precursor and/or a NAD pathway substrate. This disclosure is also directed to in vitro methods of improving the cell state in an embryo by contacting a mammalian embryo with a culture medium supplemented with a NAD.sup.+ precursor and/or a NAD pathway substrate. The improvements to the cell state may include increasing the presence of an expanded blastocyst, increasing the attachment rate of the embryo, and/or increasing the derivation of embryonic stem cells from the embryo. In certain embodiments, the media and methods use a NAD.sup.+ precursor. A variety of different NAD.sup.+ precursors can be used in the media and methods, including nicotinic acid (NA) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN).

Described is a method for identifying pathogenic platelet-activating antibodies in a subject's blood and particularly antibodies implicated in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) which comprises the preparation of a platelet releasate from a normal subject's platelets, the combination of the platelet release with a normal subject's platelets, a test subject's blood sample, and analyzing the sample for platelet activation.