Other

Harvard College

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Pericor Science, Inc.

The General Hospital Corporation

Howard A Green

Bruce J Compton

George D Corey

Philippe Djian

Philippe Dijan

R Rox Anderson

John A Parrish

Meytha Marsch-Moreno

Vann Barrandon

Shiro Iuchi

James G Rheinwald

Olaniyi Kehinde

Joseph Gene Cannata, Jr

Walid Kuri-Harcuch

Yann Barrandon

A computerized on-line photo identification game presented through a computer program provides a subject matter category and steps for registration of website visitors to become photo-submitting players or to become photo subject matter identifying photo identifying players who receive photos of specific subject matter within the subject matter category submitted by photo-submitting players and identify the subject matter shown in the photos by name, by matching the subject matter to stored text in the program database, or both, and in which the photo identifying players may be rated by factors including concurrence with the majority of photo identifying players in identification and in which they may also be rewarded.

Gamification and computerization of on-line photo identification

Aspects of the invention provide an immortalized fibroblast cell line capable of the growth and maintenance of human embryonic stem cells. An immortalized fibroblast cell line derived from an early stage mouse embryo is provided. Methods of preparing an immortalized fibroblast cell line from an early stage mouse embryo are also provided.

Immortalized fibroblasts

Methods, products and kits are provided for attaching agents to a body tissue surface via microparticles using endogenous or exogenous transglutaminase. The microparticles have surface available transglutaminase substrate reactive groups. In an embodiment, the groups are part of a polymer containing at least two contiguous linked lysines or at least three contiguous linked glutamines.

Linkage of agents to body tissue using microparticles and transglutaminase

Methods, products, compositions and kits are provided for attaching agents to tissue with a linking molecule in the presence of transglutaminase. The linking molecule and/or agent is a substrate of transglutaminase. The agent can be a nonprotein or an enzyme such as cholinesterase or phosphodiesterase. The transglutaminase may be exogenously added or be endogenous in tissue. In specific embodiments, the agent is not a transglutaminase substrate and the linking molecule is a substrate for transglutaminase containing at least two contiguous linked glutamines or at least three contiguous linked lysines, and may be a polymer. A conjugate of the agent and the linking molecule may be applied to tissue, and in the presence of transglutaminase covalently bonded to the tissue via the linking molecule. A complementary linking molecule rich in lysines may be first attached to the tissue in the presence of transglutaminase, and then covalently bonded to a glutamine-containing linking molecule of the conjugate in the presence of transglutaminase. In another embodiment a linking molecule containing multiple glutamines is covalently bonded to tissue in the presence of transglutaminase, and an agent containing multiple lysines is covalently bonded to the linking molecule in the presence of transglutaminase. Alternatively, the linking molecule contains multiple lysines and the agent contains multiple glutamines. Two tissues can be sealed together by holding the tissues in contact with each other in the presence of transglutalinase.

Conjugates of agents and transglutaminase substrate linking molecules

Cosmetic compositions containing corneocyte proteins or polypeptides in a cosmetically acceptable vehicle can be used to form a protective layer on skin, hair or nails. The proteins may be crosslinked, thereby forming a protective layer which mimicks the corneal layer of natural skin.

Compositions containing corneocyte proteins

Methods, products and kits are provided for attaching agents to tissue with a linking molecule in the presence of transglutaminase. The linking molecule and/or agent is a substrate of transglutaminase. The agent can be a nonprotein or an enzyme such as cholinesterase or phosphodiesterase. The transglutaminase may be exogenously added or be endogenous in tissue. In specific embodiments, the linking molecule contains at least two contiguous linked glutamines or at least three contiguous linked lysines. A conjugate of the agent and the linking molecule may be applied to tissue, and in the presence of transglutaminase covalently bonded to the tissue via the linking molecule. A complementary linking molecule rich in lysines may be first attached to the tissue in the presence of transglutaminase, and then covalently bonded to a glutamine-containing linking molecule of the conjugate in the presence of transglutaminase. In another embodiment, a linking molecule containing multiple glutamines is covalently bonded to tissue in the presence of transglutaminase, and an agent containing multiple lysines is covalently bonded to the linking molecule in the presence of transglutaminase. Alternatively, the linking molecule contains multiple lysines and the agent contains multiple glutamines. Two tissues can be sealed together by holding the tissues in contact with each other in the presence of transglutaminase.

Attaching agents to tissue with transglutaminase and a transglutaminase substrate

A cosmetic composition comprising corneocyte proteins and transglutaminase in a cosmetically acceptable vehicle is provided. Upon application, the ingredients of the cosmetic cross link with the outer layer of skin, hair or nails to form a protective layer on the skin, hair or nails.

Cosmetic containing comeocyte proteins and transglutaminase, and method

A method for treating dermatological organ disorders and skin lesions in a mammal through the use of directed, pulsed laser light is described. The dermatological disorders are characterized by an increase in concentration of potential photodynamic chemical compounds like carotenoid compounds, and especially the carotenoid beta-carotene, compared to normal skin. Pulsed dye laser light of a time and duration specific for maximal absorption by a carotenoid compound like beta-carotene is directed at the regions of carotenoid accumulation within a skin disorder. Thermal coagulation necrosis of the carotenoid-accumulating skin region results, though thermal damage to surrounding tissue is limited in amount.

Method of laser-induced tissue necrosis in carotenoid-containing skin

A method for distinguishing between a full thickness and a partial thickness skin burn in a patient having a skin burn. The methods includes administering a fluorescent compound, which is excited by infrared light, to the patient to cause the compound to enter one or more capillaries below and adjacent the skin burn. The compound is then excited with infrared light, and the amount of fluorescence of the compound caused by the infrared light detected at the skin burn and at unburned skin adjacent the skin burn. The ratio of fluorescence detected at the skin burn and at the unburned skin is an indication of the thickness of the skin burn, e.g., a ratio of less than 0.4 indicates a full thickness skin burn.

Measurement of burn depth in skin

Compounds are assayed for ability to promote epidermal cell growth and migration. The assay methods feature growing 'megacolonies', which are large colonies having a surface area greater than 1 cm.sup.2, and measuring growth during the linear growth phase, or measuring radial expansion during the exponential growth phase. These measurment allow comparison of growth factors and provide good estimates of the biological activity of such factors. A method of producing megacolonies and the megacolonies so produced are also disclosed.

Keratinocyte megacolonies, and assays for growth factors

Generating a human epithelium on a living animal by a method in which cultured human keratinocytes are placed in contact with the subdermal connective tissue of a non-human animal.

Human epithelium originating from cell cultures

Certain agents are disclosed which promote growth of epithelial cells, including human epidermal cells. These agents are known to increase the level of cellular cyclic-AMP.

Agents for promoting growth of epithelial cells

A method of producing transplantable sheets of living keratinous tissue by culturing keratinocytes in a culture vessel and subsequently enzymatically detaching a sheet of keratinous tissue employing an enzyme, such as Dispase, is disclosed herein.

Transplantable sheets of living keratinous tissue

A method is disclosed for serially culturing keratinocytes such as human epidermal cells and teratomal keratinocytes. These can be serially grown in culture to produce colonies and eventually stratified squamous epithelium by including in the culture fibroblast cells or medium harvested from fibroblast cultures. When fibroblast cells are used, they are treated to prevent their multiplication, and they are also introduced into the cultures at a controlled density.

Process for serially culturing keratinocytes

An isolated clonal cell line derived from the mouse fibroblast 3T3 line is disclosed. This 3T3-L1 clonal cell line has the unique characteristic of accumulating large amounts of triglyceride fats in its resting state, which makes it useful for screening drugs to determine their effect on cell fat accumulation.

Growing community of inventors

West Roxbury, MA, United States of America

Howard A Green