Methods to form a surface coating and surface pattern, which are based on adsorption of hydrocarbon chains that can be used with imaging optics to visualize macrophage fusion and multinucleated giant cell formation with living specimens are described.

A composition and a method for culturing cells. The composition includes a plurality of buoyant hollow particles, the buoyant hollow particles comprising a siliceous surface; and a plurality of mammalian cells attached to the siliceous surface of the buoyant hollow particles; wherein the buoyant hollow particles are less dense than a media; and wherein the average seeding density is 3-50 adherent cells/buoyant hollow particle.

The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating curvature-defined (C-D) or shape-defined (S-D) concave and convex polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surfaces and a method of fabricating C-D or S-D convex and concave gel surfaces for use in cell and tissue culturing and in other surface and interface applications, and provides a method of using C-D or S-D convex and concave surfaces with varying curvatures to direct cell attachment, spreading, and migration.

A method for forming microcarriers includes forming liquid drops from a sol-gel solution; depositing the drops in the form of a liquid on a first, preferably hydrophobic support; deforming the drops deposited on the first support; solidifying the drops by gelling and drying, so as to form solid microcarriers; and extracting the solidified microcarriers from the first support.

The present disclosure provides a system, including methods and apparatus, for culturing, monitoring, and/or analyzing organoids. In an exemplary method of organoid culture, the method may comprise disposing a scaffold in a receptacle having an open side. A sealing member may be bonded to the open side of the receptacle to create a chamber. An organoid may be formed in the chamber using the scaffold. Fluid and/or at least one substance may be introduced into the chamber from an overlying reservoir for contact with the organoid.

A borophosphate glass composition including B.sub.2O.sub.3, P.sub.2O.sub.5, and CaO, and optionally a source additive selected from: Li.sub.2O, Na.sub.2O, K.sub.2O, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, ZnO, MgO, Fe.sub.2O.sub.3/FeO, CuO/Cu.sub.2O, and mixtures thereof, as defined herein. Also disclosed are bioactive compositions or substrates including the disclosed borophosphate glass composition, and at least one live cell. Also disclosed are methods of inhibiting or increasing the relative amount of species containing boron, phosphorous, or both, being released into an aqueous solution from aborophosphate glass composition defined herein. Also disclosed is a method of proliferating cells on a bioactive substrate as defined herein. Also disclosed are related glass compositions that exclude one of B.sub.2O.sub.3, P.sub.2O.sub.5, and CaO.

A method of expanding and maintaining human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in an undifferentiated state by culturing the ESCs in a suspension culture under culturing conditions devoid of substrate adherence is provided. Also provided are a method of deriving ESC lines in the suspension culture and methods of generating lineage-specific cells from ESCs which were expanded in the suspension culture of the present invention.

An aluminoborate glass composition, including B.sub.2O.sub.3, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, P.sub.2O.sub.5, Na.sub.2O, and CaO, as defined herein. Also disclosed are bioactive compositions including the disclosed aluminoborate glass composition, a suitable fluid, and at least one live cell. Also disclosed is method of limiting the amount of boron released into an aqueous solution from a disclosed aluminoborate-containing glass composition as defined herein. Also disclosed is a method of proliferating cells on a bioactive substrate as defined herein.

A bioactive glass-ceramic composition as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the disclosed compositions.

Methods and materials for making complex, living, vascularized tissues for organ and tissue replacement, especially complex and/or thick, structures, such as liver tissue is provided. Tissue lamina is made in a system comprising an apparatus having (a) a first mold or polymer scaffold, a semi-permeable membrane, and a second mold or polymer scaffold, wherein the semi-permeable membrane is disposed between the first and second molds or polymer scaffolds, wherein the first and second molds or polymer scaffolds have means defining microchannels positioned toward the semi-permeable membrane, wherein the first and second molds or polymer scaffolds are fastened together; and (b) animal cells. Methods for producing complex, three-dimensional tissues or organs from tissue lamina are also provided.