University of Michigan

Blake J Roessler

Michael D Morris

Stephen E Feinberg

Cynthia Marcelo

Karen A Dehring

Beverly L Davidson

The present invention discloses a composite made of a layer of epithelial cells cultured together with a dermal matrix in a culture medium, which is free of BPE. The dermal matrix is a substantially non-immunogenic human dermis. Also disclosed is an enhanced composite where a biological agent has been introduced into the epithelial cells. The invention also comprises methods of making and implanting both the composite and the enhanced composite in an animal. A method of treating disease or injury through the use of the disclosed composites is also part of the present invention.

Mucosal cell composites and methods

Methods and apparatus are provided for evaluating a connective tissue condition of a patient (e.g., a disease, a risk of developing a disease, a risk of developing a fracture, etc.). For example, an indicator associated with the connective tissue condition may be generated. First, tissue at a first location of the body of the patient is irradiated using a light source. The tissue may be irradiated in vivo through the skin or via an incision, for example. Alternatively, a biopsy of the tissue may be irradiated. Then, spectral content information for light scattered, reflected, or transmitted by the irradiated tissue is determined. The spectral content information may be used, at least in part, to generate an indicator associated with a condition of connective tissue at a second location of the body of the patient, the second location remote from the first location. The indicator may, for example, assist a physician in diagnosing or ruling out the connective tissue condition.

Method and apparatus for evaluating connective tissue conditions

This invention provides recombinant adenoviral vectors having an expression control sequence operatively linked to a gene that encodes an anti-inflammatory polypeptide or that produces on transcription an anti-inflammatory ribozyme or antisense RNA molecule. This invention also provides methods of transferring a gene to a synovial cell by transducing the synovial cell in vivo, with a recombinant adenoviral vector. This invention also provides methods of treating an inflammatory condition in the joint of a subject comprising administering to the joint a therapeutically effective amount of a recombinant adenoviral vector having an expression control sequence operatively linked to a gene that encodes an anti-inflammatory polypeptide or that produces on transcription an anti-inflammatory ribozyme or antisense RNA molecule.

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Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Blake J Roessler