Methods and apparatuses harvesting, modifying and reimplantation of Dermal Micro -organs

摘要

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatuses for harvesting Dermal Micro-organs (DMOs). Some embodiments of the invention provide a DMO including a plurality of dermal components, which substantially retain the micro- architecture and three dimensional structure of the dermal tissue from which they are derived. An apparatus (5000, 6000) for harvesting the DMO may include, according to some exemplary embodiments, a support configuration to support a skin-related tissue structure from which the DMO is to be harvested, and a cutting tool (3014,6016) able to separate the DMO from the skin-related tissue structure. Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a genetically modified dermal micro-organ expressing at least one recombinant gene product. Some embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatuses for implanting a genetically modified DMO.