Wake Forest University

Duke University

Response Scientific, Inc.

Emmanuel C Opara

Benjamin S Harrison

Anthony Atala

James J Yoo

Justin M Saul

Sittadjody Sivanandane

Gregory D Webster

Mark E Welker

Surya Raj Banks

Adam R Hall

Yuanyuan Zhang

Amber N Weissenfluh

The present disclosure describes a method of encapsulating cells in a crosslinked alginate microbead using a microfluidic encapsulation device.

Method of encapsulating cells using a microfluidic encapsulation device

Modified alginates are described herein along with hydrogels comprising the same. A modified alginate may be prepared by reacting alginate and an aromatic compound (e.g., an aromatic amine) and/or pH sensitive compound. The modified alginates, hydrogels, and/or methods described herein may be used to coat and/or encapsulate at least a portion of a bioactive substance, optionally for oral delivery in humans and other animals.

Modified carbohydrates, compositions comprising the same, and methods of making and using the same

A composition comprising microcapsules, the microcapsules containing both live mammalian ovarian granulosa cells and live mammalian ovarian theca cells, is described. In some embodiments, the granulosa cells and the theca cells are contained in separate microcapsules in the composition; in some embodiments, the granulosa cells and the theca cells are contained together in the same microcapsules in the composition. The composition is can be used for estrogen, and optionally also progesterone, delivery, and hence is preferably free or essentially free of oocytes. Methods of using the same and pharmaceutical formulations containing the same are also described.

Encapsulated cells for hormone replacement therapy

Microcapsules are described that comprise (a) a liquid aqueous or hydrogel core; (b) a semipermeable membrane surrounding said core; (c) live animal cells (e.g., pancreatic cells) in the core; and (d) oxygen-generating particles in said core, said oxygen-generating particles included in said microcapsules in an amount sufficient to lengthen the duration of viability of said animal cells in said microcapsules. Compositions comprising such microcapsules and uses thereof, such as in treating diabetes, are also described.

Co-encapsulation of live cells with oxygen-generating particles

A composition comprising microcapsules, the microcapsules containing both live mammalian ovarian granulosa cells and live mammalian ovarian theca cells, is described. In some embodiments, the granulosa cells and the theca cells are contained in separate microcapsules in the composition; in some embodiments, the granulosa cells and the theca cells are contained together in the same microcapsules in the composition The composition is can be used for estrogen, and optionally also progesterone, delivery, and hence is preferably free or essentially free of oocytes. Methods of using the same and pharmaceutical formulations containing the same are also described.

Provided herein are methods of treating a subject in need of treatment for a urological condition including administering urine stem cells to said subject in a treatment effective amount; and, in conjunction therewith, administering growth factors to said subject in an amount effective to promote differentiation of said stem cells into skeletal muscle cells. Compositions useful for the same are also provided.

Urine stem cells for skeletal muscle generation and uses thereof

A medical food and/or nutritional supplement for oral administration by mammals includes &#x3b1;-lipoic acid, linolenic acid complex, biotin, and coenzyme Q-10. A preferred method of manufacturing the medical food or nutritional supplement is by separate microencapsulation of one or more of the components followed by encapsulation of the individual components, for oral administration. Other methods of delivery include packaging in impermeable, disposable packets and mixing the formulations with food or a cold liquid.

Medical food or nutritional supplement for managing blood glucose levels and method of manufacturing same

Medical food or nutritional supplement, method of manufacturing same, and method of managing diabetes

Methods of treating and forming biocompatible microcapsules that contain living cells are provided, to improve the function of the microcapsules. In particular, methods of treating islet cells or microcapsules containing islet cells are provided. Culture of isolated islet cells prior to encapsulation, culture of encapsulated cells, and cryopreservation of islet cells prior to encapsulation, are described. Methods for harvesting viable islets that incorporates an anti-oxidant in the digestion medium are also disclosed.

Microencapsulated pancreatic islet cells

Cells, preferably isolated pancreatic islet cells, are treated with a compound or a combination of compounds selected from an antioxidant, an anti-cytokine, an anti-endotoxin and an antibiotic. The compound or combination of compounds is in a medium for culturing the cells before microencapsulation, in a medium for cryopreserving the cells by freezing followed by thawing and microencapsulation, in a medium for culturing the cells after microencapsulation, or in a medium for culturing the cells before microencapsulation and in a medium for culturing the cells after microencapsulation. Microcapsules containing cells may be incubated with a physiologically acceptable salt to increase durability of the microcapsules. In a preferred method, isolated pancreatic islet cells are cultured for about 12 to about 36 hours in a medium containing an antioxidant as the compound, cryopreserved by freezing in a medium containing the compound or combination of compounds, thawed and microencapsulated. The microcapsule contains a hydrogel core such gelled alginate and a semipermeable outer membrane such as formed with polylysine. Encapsulated pancreatic islet cells are provided for transplantation that have enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin production.

Methods of culturing and encapsulating pancreatic islet cells

Cells, preferably isolated pancreatic islet cells, are treated with a compound or a combination of compounds selected from an antioxidant, an anti-cytokine, an anti-endotoxin and an antibiotic. The compound or combination of compounds is in a medium for culturing the cells before microencapsulation, in a medium for cryopreserving the cells by freezing followed by thawing and microencapsulation, in a medium for culturing the cells after microencapsulation, or in a medium for culturing the cells before microencapsulation and in a medium for culturing the cells after microencapsulation. In a preferred method, isolated pancreatic islet cells are cultured for about 12 to about 36 hours in a medium containing an antioxidant as the compound, cryopreserved by freezing in a medium containing the compound or combination of compounds, thawed and microencapsulated. The microcapsule contains a hydrogel core such gelled alginate and a semipermeable outer membrane such as formed with polylysine. Pancreatic islet cells are provided for transplantation that have enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin production.

Growing community of inventors

Durham, NC, United States of America

Emmanuel C Opara