The Rogosin Institute

Lawrence Gazda

Barry H Smith

Barry Scott Smith

Melissa Laramore

Timothy Hamilton

Albert L Rubin

The invention relates to an improved method for making agarose coated, agarose beads which contain cells. The method which is preferably automated, involves placing manufactured beads in a sample of mineral oil at a temperature gradient, such that the temperature drops as the bead moves through the oil. Preferably, a 'trumpet tool' and a 'straw tool' are employed in the method.

Method for manufacture of macrobeads

The invention relates to the use of encapsulates of cancer cells, in agarose coated, agarose containing beads, for isolating chemotherapeutic resistant cells which have at least one stem cell property, such as expression of OCT4. The cells thus isolated are also a feature of the invention, as is a method for screening for potential therapeutic agents.

Method for isolating a chemotherapeutic agent resistant cancer cell with stem cell properties

The invention describes the manufacture and use of secretory cell containing bead structures that are coated with agarose. The beads, which are preferably 4 mm-12 mm in diameter, and which preferably contain islets, are made of a particular agarose, i.eagarose which has a sulfate content of less than 0.2 wt % but greater than zero, a pyruvate content of 0-0.1 wt %, and a Kjeldahl nitrogen content of 0-0.04 wt %. The gels found from the agarose exhibit a gel strength of at least 1200 g/cm(1.0 wt % concentration), substantial absence of DNA binding in 0.07 M or less tris acetate buffer, and an EEO at 1.0 wt % agarose concentration of 0.05 or less.

Seakem gold agarose beads comprising islets and coated with agarose

The invention relates to a method for evaluating a pancreas as a source of therapeutically useful islets. A scoring system is set forth whereby 5 criteria are listed. If three criteria are positive, then the pancreas is a suitable source of therapeutically useful islets.

Growing community of inventors

Xenia, OH, United States of America

Lawrence Gazda