The present disclosure describes a method and composition for enhancing the survival of hematopoietic stem cells, preferably CD34+ derived from human umbilical cord or peripheral blood, in hypoxic and serum-deprived conditions by cultivating the cells in medium containing lysophosphatidic acid, preferably further comprising a gel, namely a biomimetic gel.

The method and composition may be used in medicine or cosmetic application, in particular, in treatment of cardiac tissue and/or cardiac diseases, and/or in the treatment of wound healing namely diabetic wound healing

A therapeutic composition comprising a purified fraction of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells encapsulated in a three-dimensional biocompatible gel matrix, and methods, and systems for preparing and using encapsulated adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Hydrogel microbeads encapsulating stem cells maintain the viability and location of the stem cells for an extended period as compared to stem cells in suspension. The gel matrix allows the release of cellular factors from the encapsulated stem cells to surrounding tissues to achieve desired therapeutic results.

This invention provides a method of producing an epiblast-like cell (EpiLC) from a pluripotent stem cell, which comprises culturing the pluripotent stem cell in the presence of activin A; a method of producing a primordial germ cell-like (PGC-like) cell a pluripotent stem cell, which comprises culturing the EpiLC obtained by the method above in the presence of BMP4 and LIF. Also provided are a cell population containing PGC-like cells as obtained by the method, and reagent kits for the EpiLC- and PGC-like cell-induction from a pluripotent stem cell.

The present invention provides a medical analysis device and a cell analysis method, which can capture many types of cancer cells, including cancer cells not expressing EpCAM. The present invention relates to a medical analysis device having a well portion, the well portion having a hydrophilic polymer layer formed at least partly on the inner surface thereof, the hydrophilic polymer layer having fibronectin adsorbed thereto.

Provided herein according to some embodiments is a biocompatible scaffold comprising stem cells (e.g., a pliable scaffold) suitable for intracavity administration after surgical removal of a tumor, wherein the scaffold allows the stem cells to migrate away from the scaffold and towards a cancerous or damaged tissue, wherein the stem cells are loaded with a therapeutic agent and/or a reporter molecule. Methods of forming the scaffold, and methods of use thereof, are also provided.

The disclosure is in the field of cell therapy, more in particular, stem cell transplantation therapy. The disclosure provides methods and compositions for improving the efficacy of stem cell transplantation therapy by reducing the inflammatory activity of a stem cell transplant. More in particular, the disclosure provides a method for preparing a stem cell transplant with reduced inflammatory activity comprising a step of suspending a composition comprising stem cells in a fibrinogen-depleted plasma and/or in a fibrinogen and C-reactive protein-depleted plasma.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to a method of fabricating an artificial heart muscle (AHM) patch. In some embodiments, the method comprises obtaining and/or isolating cells from a subject. In some embodiments, the cells are primary cardiac cells. In some embodiments, the method further comprises forming a scaffold. In some embodiments, the method comprises seeding the cells in the fibrin gel scaffold. In some embodiments, the method comprises culturing the cells seeded in the fibrin gel scaffold under conditions appropriate for the formation of an artificial heart muscle (AHM) patch. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to a method of fabricating a bioartificial heart (BAH). In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to a method of treatment of cardiac tissue injury in a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the method includes implanting the aforementioned artificial heart muscle patch in the injured area of the subject. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of treating end stage cardiac disease in a subject in need thereof.

The invention relates to a matrix in ball form comprising cross-linked fibrinogen, the matrix being free from fibrin, as well as to a method for preparing such a matrix, comprising the following steps: (a) providing an initial composition comprising fibrinogen and a platelet factor, (b) injecting said initial composition into an oil heated to a temperature of 50 C. to 80 C. so as to form an emulsion, (c) mixing the emulsion thus obtained at a temperature of 50 C. to 80 C. until a matrix in ball form is obtained, and (d) isolating the matrix thus obtained. The matrix is used as a cell carrier.

The present disclosure describes a method and composition for enhancing the survival of hematopoietic stem cells, preferably CD34+ derived from human umbilical cord or peripheral blood, in hypoxic and serum-deprived conditions by cultivating the cells in medium containing lysophosphatidic acid, preferably further comprising a gel, namely a biomimetic gel. The method and composition may be used in medicine or cosmetic application, in particular, in treatment of cardiac tissue and/or cardiac diseases, and/or in the treatment of wound healing namely diabetic wound healing.

The present disclosure relates to a microfluidic devices and methods for culturing bone marrow cells. Aspects include methods of preparing microfluidic devices and culturing bone marrow cells with the microfluidic devices. In some aspects, a method includes providing a microfluidic device having an upper chamber, a lower chamber, and a porous membrane separating the upper chamber from the lower chamber. The method further includes seeding walls of the lower chamber and a bottom surface of the membrane with endothelial cells. The method further includes providing a matrix within the upper chamber. The matrix includes fibrin gel and bone marrow cells. The method further includes filling or perfusing the upper chamber with a media.