Microfluidic devices with open ports and gel channels for forming perfusable hydrogel vascular networks with holes or ports for samples, and methods of making and using, are provided which integrate interstitial flows to an ex vivo vascularized tissue model. Samples of cells, spheroids, organoids, and tissues can be used for screening of agents for efficacy, toxicity and dosage. The devices create interstitial flow from the top of the gel hole, through the sample toward the vascular networks, and/or luminal flows generated by a pressure difference between two media channels across the vascular network. This system is useful for studying angiogenesis, immune cell migration and testing new immunotherapy drug candidates.

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a three-dimensional ex vivo skeletal muscle tissue comprising a hydrogel and a plurality of cells that includes skeletal muscle cells, at least a portion of the cells being encapsulated inside the hydrogel. In some embodiments, the skeletal muscle tissue is characterized by one or more contractions in response to an electrical and/or chemical stimulation.

Described herein are decellularized extracellular matrix for mechanically supporting engineered vascular grafts. Methods are provided for fabricating all-natural, non-immunogenic, strong products that do not rely on common plastic supports. Also provided are bench-top models of atherosclerosis. Embodiments provide completely inclusive models that contain all steps of atherosclerosis, including late-stage disease processes. Example models utilize tissue engineered blood vessels (TEBV); stages of atherosclerosis are induced for instance by application of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDLs) (early-stage), followed by macrophage introduction (early-stage), and induction of calcification using calcified protein particles (CPPs; late-stage). Also provided are kits useful to investigate disease processes and better patient treatment options, including new drug development.

The present invention relates to a method of expanding and generating a population of cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells comprising steps of a) separating the mononuclear cells from the peripheral blood; b) transferring the separated mononuclear cells into a culture medium; c) adding cytokines into the culture medium to induce expansion and generation of the CIK cells; and d) obtaining the expanded and generated population of CIK cells.

Microfluidic device comprising at least one cell culture unit for forming, culturing, growing and/or maintaining a 3D tissue structure such as a 3D strip of cardiac tissue, wherein the at least one cell culture unit comprises: a respective culture chamber for culturing cells having a chamber outlet opening; and a cell supply channel arranged to guide a microfluidic flow of liquid holding cells between a channel inlet and a channel outlet, wherein the cell supply channel is provided with a flow inhibitor which is operable to selectively provide a flow inhibiting state or a flow permitting state depending on a fluid pressure at the flow inhibitor, wherein, in the flow inhibiting state, the flow inhibitor is configured to substantially inhibit liquid flow between the cell supply channel and the culture chamber, wherein, in the flow permitting state, the flow inhibitor is configured to permit such liquid flow such that the cell supply channel is in liquid communication with the culture chamber to supply the culture chamber with cells, wherein the culture chamber is provided with at least two mutually spaced apart elastic support structures which extend in the culture chamber and which are configured for elastically supporting a tissue formed in the culture chamber, in particular a cultured 3D tissue formed from the cells, wherein the elastic support structures are elastically deformable, in particular flexible, in particular to vary a mutual distance of said support structures under influence of a varying contraction force between said support structures.

The present invention provides a gel formed of fibrin and a molecule generated by thrombin treatment of a chimeric protein that comprises a fibrinogen fragment capable of binding to fibrinogen upon thrombin treatment and a laminin fragment having integrin-binding activity, and optionally further comprises a protein having growth factor-binding activity. The gel of the present invention is suitable as a gel substrate that has properties of the basement membrane and can be used in medical applications.

A scaffold for culturing a cell comprises: a hydrogel; and a plasma-derived or platelet-derived component or a fibrin-containing material adhered to the hydrogel.

The present invention involves implants suitable for surgical implantation into subjects. In some embodiments the implants comprise a biocompatible scaffold material and blood vessels containing engineered endothelial cells—such as E4ORF1+ engineered endothelial cells or engineered endothelial cells that express certain marker molecules. The present invention provides implants, methods for preparing such implants, and methods of treatment utilizing such implants.

The present invention relates to the field of implants for the formation/regeneration of lymph nodes. In particular, the present invention relates to an implant comprising a biodegradable scaffold and lymph node fragments immobilized therein and/or thereon, to a method of manufacturing such an implant and to uses of such an implant.

The disclosure generally relates to methods and compositions for preparing a neural tissue construct. In particular, provided herein are methods for generating a neural tissue construct using glutamatergic cortical progenitor cells; GABAergic interneuron progenitor cells; and bio-ink.