Methods of forming, dissolving, and functionalizing an extracellular matrix gel on demand based on cross-linking, modification, and dissolution of hydrogels using transpeptidase (e.g. sortase) are disclosed. Also provided are hydrogels comprising one or more macromers crosslinked to a mixture of peptides, wherein all or a portion of the peptides in the mixture comprise a recognition motif cleavable by a transpeptidase (e.g., sortase).

Described herein are oral delivery systems for use in delivering live mammalian cells to the intestinal tract of an individual.

The present invention provides a method for culturing vascular smooth muscle cells, which includes culturing vascular smooth muscle cells in suspension in a medium composition comprising a structure capable of culturing cells or tissues by suspending them. In addition, the present invention provides a method for suppressing proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, which includes culturing vascular smooth muscle cells in suspension in the medium composition. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for preserving vascular smooth muscle cells, which includes suspending vascular smooth muscle cells in the medium composition. The structure contains, for example, deacylated gellan gum.

A method for printing uses at least one bio-ink. The method also uses at least one laser print head to deposit at least one droplet of at least one bio-ink onto a depositing surface of a receiving substrate. The printing method uses at least one nozzle print head to deposit at least one droplet of at least one bio-ink onto a depositing surface of the same receiving substrate as the laser print head.

A 3D tissue culture selected from the group consisting of hydrogel-based 3D tissue culture and cellular self-assembly 3D tissue culture as well as self-assembly 3D tissue culture. Additionally, disclosed is a method of preparing cells for 3D tissue culture, which method comprises the steps of plating the cells on a suitable surface, optionally, checking for their capability to adhere to said surface, discarding the cells which have not adhered to said surface, detaching the adhered cells and transferring them into a 3D tissue culture process.

A bioreactor system is provided that includes a cell culture vessel having a first end, a second end, and at least one reservoir between the first and second ends; and a cell culture matrix disposed in the at least one reservoir. The cell culture matrix has a structurally defined substrate with a surface for adhering cells thereto. The bioreactor system flows material through the at least one reservoir and through the cell culture matrix in a flow direction from the first end to the second end, and the cell culture matrix exhibits isotropic fluid flow permeability therethrough.

Disclosed are a biomimic system simulating lung tissue, a method for manufacturing same, and a microfluidic control method using same, wherein the biomimic system comprises lung epithelial cells and lung fibroblasts, which are isolated from human lungs, and commercially available vascular endothelial cells, and wherein a microfluid flows through the biomimic system. Each chamber inside the corresponding system can allow a fluid, which contains gas and a medium, to flow therethrough and simulate respiration-like movement, wherein all of the three types of cells can survive inside the system even when one week or more have elapsed after through-flow of the fluid. In addition, the pH and pO.sub.2 in the chamber can be monitored by using a pH sensor and a gas partial pressure sensor inside the system, and thus the three types of cells inside the system can be exposed to external environments, drugs, and the like under the same conditions as in the lungs in vivo. Therefore, a wide range of studies including modeling of lung diseases by harmful substances and testing of therapeutic drug efficacy can be conducted, and further, the utilization to in vitro disease modeling, customized medicine prescriptions, and the like can also be made.

Xenograft egg models comprising a fertilized non-mammalian egg comprising an ablated immune system, a first plurality of mammalian cells and a second plurality of mammalian cells, wherein the second plurality comprises immune cells are provided. Methods of producing the xenograft egg model as well as using the xenograft egg model for screening are also provided.

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 purpose of the invention is to provide novel cell culture substrates, cell culture vessels, and methods for cell culture. A cell culture substrate having a planar mesh structure, the substrate being coated with a polymer, is provided. Cells are cultured in a cell culture vessel having this substrate.