Presented herein are compositions and methods for the long-term in vitro culturing of Treponema species such as T. pallidum. Culture media and systems for Treponema culture are also provided.

Failing and degenerating organs may be induced to recover by administering a serum augmenting natural paracrine to extend replenishment. The serum may be collected from a stressed culture of cells and administered to an organ and/or tissue. The stressed serum may also be combined with cells to be implanted to increase recovery, viability and/or establishment of cells.

Presented herein are compositions and methods for the long-term in vitro culturing of Treponema species such as T. pallidum. Culture media and systems for Treponema culture are also provided.

The present invention relates to cells and cell lines that are free of viral contamination and methods for eliminating viral contamination from a cell or cell line. One exemplary method developed generates Trichoplusia ni cell lines that are free of alphanodavirus. Methods of using a specific, virally-infected cell to generate a virus-free cell are also described herein.