The present invention relates to the use of tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) as a marker for identifying and/or isolating adult multipotential cells. The present invention also relates to cell populations enriched by methods of the present invention and therapeutic uses of these cells.

A method of treating a spinal cord injury in a subject in need thereof is disclosed. The method comprises implanting a scaffold into the spinal cord of a subject, wherein the scaffold is seeded with oral mucosa stem cells (OMSC) and/or cells that have been ex vivo differentiated from said OMSCs, thereby treating the spinal cord injury.

This invention relates to a tissue construct comprising a core portion having a recess and composed of fibrous connective tissue, and loose fibrous somatic stem cell-accumulated tissue comprising type III collagen and somatic stem cells which is formed in the recess; a device for producing the same; and a method for collecting somatic stem cells from the tissue construct.

A process of using a fish plasma component in a nutrient medium for cell culture includes obtaining a fish that is a progeny of domesticated broodstock that are reared under consistent and reproducible conditions. Blood is obtained from the fish, and plasma is separated from the blood. One or more specific components of the plasma are then extracted, and cells are cultured in a nutrient medium using the one or more extracted plasma components, and none of any remainder of the plasma. The plasma and/or the plasma components is/are tested for presence and/or level of endotoxin. Extracting the one or more specific components of the plasma, and/or culturing the cells is only performed if the testing indicates an endotoxin level below a predetermined threshold. The cells cultured using the extracted one or more plasma components are other than fish cells.

Structures and methods for tissue engineering include a multicellular body including a plurality of living cells. A plurality of multicellular bodies can be arranged in a pattern and allowed to fuse to form an engineered tissue. The arrangement can include filler bodies including a biocompatible material that resists migration and ingrowth of cells from the multicellular bodies and that is resistant to adherence of cells to it. Three-dimensional constructs can be assembled by printing or otherwise stacking the multicellular bodies and filler bodies such that there is direct contact between adjoining multicellular bodies, suitably along a contact area that has a substantial length. The direct contact between the multicellular bodies promotes efficient and reliable fusion. The increased contact area between adjoining multicellular bodies also promotes efficient and reliable fusion. Methods of producing multicellular bodies having characteristics that facilitate assembly of the three-dimensional constructs are also provided.

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a bio-ink by additive deposition, which comprises supplying: a first solution including between 5 and 40 wt. % gelatin; a second solution including between 15 and 35.wt. % alginate; a third solution including between 1 and 15 wt. % fibrinogen, and optionally living cells in suspension; and creating a mixture including: around 35 to 65 vol. % of the first solution; around 15 to 35 vol. % of the second solution; and around 15 to 35 vol. % of the third solution, said proportions being selected so that they add up to 100%. Said bio-ink allows the additive deposition of objects that can be polymerised by means of a solution including calcium ions and thrombin. Said objects can be incubated and can be used as a substitute for body tissue, for example (with added fibroblasts) as skin substitute.

A method for producing a cell construct including, contacting Schwann cells or Schwann cell-like cells with a biocompatible matrix, and subjecting to cultivation, where the cultivation is at least partially performed by administering mechanical stimulation on the cells in contact with the biocompatible matrix. A cell construct obtained by the method.

Disclosed are methods of promoting wound healing in a patient in need thereof comprising administering to the patient a composition comprising a neonatal fibrin scaffold. Further disclosed are in vitro methods for evaluating a target composition on human wound healing comprising a neonatal porcine plasma scaffold with the target composition and evaluating scaffold properties of the plasma sample.

A method of producing a 3D tissue composite, comprising: a preparation step in which a multiple number of sheet-shaped first structures containing first cells are prepared, wherein at least one of the multiple number of first structures holds a second structure containing second cells; a stacking step in which the multiple number of first structures are stacked to form a 3D composite; and a culturing step in which the 3D composite is cultured to form a 3D tissue composite containing first tissues formed from the first cells and second tissues formed from the second cells.

Structures and methods for tissue engineering include a multicellular body including a plurality of living cells. A plurality of multicellular bodies can be arranged in a pattern and allowed to fuse to form an engineered tissue. The arrangement can include filler bodies including a biocompatible material that resists migration and ingrowth of cells from the multicellular bodies and that is resistant to adherence of cells to it. Three-dimensional constructs can be assembled by printing or otherwise stacking the multicellular bodies and filler bodies such that there is direct contact between adjoining multicellular bodies, suitably along a contact area that has a substantial length. The direct contact between the multicellular bodies promotes efficient and reliable fusion. The increased contact area between adjoining multicellular bodies also promotes efficient and reliable fusion. Methods of producing multicellular bodies having characteristics that facilitate assembly of the three-dimensional constructs are also provided.