128results about How to "Maintain their viability" patented technology

The present invention relates generally to methods for activating and expanding cells, and more particularly, to a novel method to activate and / or stimulate cells using an engineered multivalent signaling platform. Compositions of cells activated and expanded by the methods herein are further provided.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for tissue repair using a cytocompatible self-gelling cross-linked hydrogel. The composition comprises a biocompatible mixture of chitosan, bifunctional dialdehyde, and hydroxylated polymer, which can be used to immobilize or encapsulate viable cells, or bioactive substances. The method includes the process of mixing bioactive substances, live cells, and / or extracellular matrix components with a cross-linking solution comprising a bifunctional aldehyde-treated hydroxylated polymer such as hydroxyethyl cellulose. The cross-linking solution is then mixed homogenously with a neutral isotonic chitosan solution. The chitosan becomes cross-linked by the bifunctional aldehyde, while the cells are protected from potentially nocive effects of the aldehyde cross-linker by the hydroxylated polymer. The injectable solution retains cell viability and bioactivity, and immobilizes cells at the site of injection or delivery. Depending on the particular application, mixtures of chitosan and bifunctional dialdehyde may be employed. The injectable solution also liberates bioactive substances with controlled release kinetics from the site of injection.

The present invention relates generally to methods for activating and expanding cells, and more particularly, to a novel method to activate and / or stimulate cells using an engineered multivalent signaling platform. Compositions of cells activated and expanded by the methods herein are further provided.

A micro-organ structure comprising at least two micro-organ portions formed from a tissue, in which said at least two micro-organs are linked one to the other by means of a junction formed from said tissue of which the micro-organs were formed therefrom.

Provided are a system and methods for selectively inducing expansion of a population of T cells in the absence of exogenous growth factors, such as lymphokines, and accessory cells for research purposes. The cell based expansion system and methods permit the long-term growth of CTLs, preferably human CTLs. In addition, T cell proliferation can be induced without the need for antigen, thus providing an expanded T cell population that is polyclonal with respect to antigen reactivity. Further provided are methods for using the system and methods to screen and identify antigens related to specific diseases or conditions, tumors, autoimmune disorders, or an infectious disease or pathogen, and to identify target molecule for research purposes, or for developing a vaccine based thereon.

Methods and kits for the isolation of organisms. Such methods and kits are particularly useful for concentrating and recovering viable organisms from food material. The recovered organisms are of sufficient number and purity to allow detection using a biochip device.

Compositions and methods for inducing cell membrane wounding, cell permeabilization and cell killing are provided. The composition comprises a polyvalent agent that binds to a highly expressed cell surface antigen present on the surface of a cell. Preferably, the cell surface antigen is associated with the cytoskeleton of the cell. A preferred polyvalent agent is an IgM, and enhanced cell wounding and killing can be provided by the addition of a crosslinking agent. At sublethal concentrations in vivo, the cell wounding antibodies permeabilize cells and dramatically enhance response to chemotherapeutic agents, even in patients refractory to the chemotherapeutic agents.

A method for treating cells and / or nuclear transfer units and / or stem cells in culture with such compounds, individually or in combinations, is described. The method results in a globally hypomethylated genome and a restoration of cell differentiation and / or developmental potential, or potentiality. In addition, a method for the in vitro production of reprogrammed cells which have had differentiation potential (totipotential, pluripotential, or multipotential) restored by demethylating the genome is described.