Artificial micro-gland
First Claim
1. An artificial gland that is an independent unit for promoting biological activity, the artificial gland comprising:
- cells assembled in three dimensions and organized to form a membrane, the membrane configured to define an enclosed volume; and
,a reservoir within the enclosed volume, the reservoir comprising a bio-reactor capable of containing a product of activity of the cells.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A micro-scale artificial gland is disclosed in the form of an independent unit for promoting biological activity. The artificial gland includes cells formed in a membrane enclosing a reservoir. The reservoir is a bio-reactor capable of containing a product of activity of the cells. The reservoir comprises a gas, a liquid, and a gel and preferably also contains nanoparticles, a buffer, a surfactant, and, a gel precursor. The reservoir may also contain cells. Nanoparticles may also surround the artificial gland to form a protective coating. A variety of methods are disclosed for making the artificial gland by directed assembly of cells into the artificial micro-gland by gel, liquid or bubble templating. All involve coating the surface of gel, droplet or bubble with the living cells and the stabilizing the cells on the surface of gels, droplets or bubbles.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. An artificial gland that is an independent unit for promoting biological activity, the artificial gland comprising:
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cells assembled in three dimensions and organized to form a membrane, the membrane configured to define an enclosed volume; and
,a reservoir within the enclosed volume, the reservoir comprising a bio-reactor capable of containing a product of activity of the cells. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. An artificial gland of micro-scale for promoting biological activity, the artificial gland comprising:
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biological units assembled in three dimensions and organized to form a membrane, the membrane configured to define an enclosed micro-scale volume; and
,a reservoir within the enclosed micro-scale volume, the reservoir comprising a bio-reactor capable of containing a product of activity of the biological units, wherein the reservoir comprises a substance selected from the group consisting of a gas, a liquid, and a gel. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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33. An artificial gland of micro-scale for promoting biological activity, the artificial gland comprising:
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components of a cell assembled in three dimensions and organized to form a membrane, the membrane configured to define an enclosed micro-scale volume; and
,a reservoir within the enclosed micro-scale volume, the reservoir comprising a bio-reactor capable of containing a product of activity of the components of a cell, wherein the reservoir comprises a substance selected from the group consisting of a gas, a liquid, and a gel. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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35. An artificial gland that is an independent micro-scale unit for promoting biological activity, the artificial gland comprising:
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cells assembled in three dimensions and organized to form a membrane, the membrane configured to define an enclosed micro-scale volume; and
,a reservoir within the enclosed micro-scale volume, the reservoir comprising volvox algae.
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36. An artificial gland that is an independent micro-scale unit for promoting biological activity, the artificial gland comprising:
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cells assembled in three dimensions and organized to form a membrane, the membrane configured to define an enclosed micro-scale volume; and
,a reservoir within the enclosed micro-scale volume, the reservoir comprising an organized algae micro-colony selected from the group consisting of diatoms, cyanobacteria, pediastrum, hydrodictyon, chlorella, paramecium bursania, Haematococcus pluvialis, spirogyra, mougeotia and zygnema.
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Specification