Abstract: An apparatus and methods for using biological material to discriminate an agent. In one embodiment of the present invention, the method includes the steps of providing at least one cell, exposing at least one cell to an agent, measuring the response of the cell to the agent in terms of a physical quantity related to at least one of the cellular physiological activities of the cell, and identifying the agent from the measured response. The method further includes the step of quantifying the agent from the measured response.

Abstract: A bioreactor (200) for cultivating living cells in a liquid medium. In one embodiment, the bioreactor (200) has a substrate (230) having a first surface and an opposite second surface, defining a channel (202) therein, and a plurality of chambers (204) formed in the substrate, wherein each of the plurality of chambers (204) is adapted for receiving cells in a liquid medium and formed with an open end (262), an opposite closed end (264) and side walls, the open end (262) and the closed end (264) defining a depth, d, therebetween for the corresponding chamber (206), the sidewalls defining a width, w, therebetween for the corresponding chamber (206). As such formed, each chamber (206) is in fluid communication with the channel (202) through the open end of the chamber (206), and at least two of the plurality of chambers (206) have depths or widths the same or different form each other.

Abstract: A bioreactor for cultivating living cells in a liquid medium. In one embodiment of the present invention, the bioreactor includes a first substrate having a first surface, an opposite second surface and edges. The bioreactor further includes a second substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, defining a cavity with a bottom surface, where the bottom surface is located therebetween the first surface and the second surface. The first surface of the first substrate is received by the second surface of the second substrate to cover the cavity so as to form a channel for receiving cells and a liquid medium. In forming the bioreactor, the channel is sized to allow the growth of a layer of cells on a biocompatible coating layer and a flow of liquid in the channel. The flow of liquid is controlled so as to provide a known shear force to the layer of cells. The flow of liquid can be further controlled so as to provide an environment that simulates a vascular space in the channel.

Abstract: A bioreactor for cultivating living cells in a liquid medium. In one embodiment of the present invention, the bioreactor has a first substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, defining a chamber therebetween for receiving the cells and the liquid medium. The bioreactor further has a barrier dividing the chamber into a first subchamber and a second subchamber, wherein the barrier has a porosity to allow the first subchamber and the second subchamber in fluid communication and allow at least one predetermined type of cells to permeate between the first subchamber and the second subchamber.

Abstract: A bioreactor for cultivating living cells in a liquid medium. In one embodiment of the present invention, the bioreactor has a first substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, defining a chamber therebetween for receiving the cells and the liquid medium. The bioreactor further has a barrier dividing the chamber into a first subchamber and a second subchamber, wherein the barrier has a porosity to allow the first subchamber and the second subchamber in fluid communication and allow at least one predetermined type of cells to permeate between the first subchamber and the second subchamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for detecting at least one analyte of interest either produced or consumed by a plurality of cell. In one embodiment of the present invention, the method includes the steps of providing a housing defining a chamber, placing a plurality of cells in the chamber, and simultaneously detecting at least two analytes of interest either produced or consumed by the plurality of cells in the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for monitoring the status of a cell that consumes oxygen. In one embodiment of the present invention, the method includes the steps of confining the cell in a sensing volume, measuring dynamically intracellular or extracellular signaling of the cell, and determining the status of the cell from the measured intracellular or extracellular signaling of the cell.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for monitoring the status of a cell that consumes oxygen. In one embodiment of the present invention, the method includes the steps of confining the cell in a sensing volume, measuring dynamically intracellular or extracellular signaling of the cell, and determining the status of the cell from the measured intracellular or extracellular signaling of the cell.

Abstract: A bioreactor for cultivating living cells in a liquid medium. In one embodiment of the present invention, the bioreactor includes a first substrate having a first surface, an opposite second surface and edges. The bioreactor further includes a second substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, defining a cavity with a bottom surface, where the bottom surface is located therebetween the first surface and the second surface. The first surface of the first substrate is received by the second surface of the second substrate to cover the cavity so as to form a channel for receiving cells and a liquid medium. In forming the bioreactor, the channel is sized to allow the growth of a layer of cells on a biocompatible coating layer and a flow of liquid in the channel. The flow of liquid is controlled so as to provide a known shear force to the layer of cells. The flow of liquid can be further controlled so as to provide an environment that simulates a vascular space in the channel.

Abstract: A bioreactor for cultivating living cells in a liquid medium. In one embodiment of the present invention, the bioreactor includes a first substrate having a first surface, an opposite second surface and edges. The bioreactor further includes a second substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, defining a cavity with a bottom surface, where the bottom surface is located therebetween the first surface and the second surface. The first surface of the first substrate is received by the second surface of the second substrate to cover the cavity so as to form a channel for receiving cells and a liquid medium. In forming the bioreactor, the channel is sized to allow the growth of a layer of cells on a biocompatible coating layer and a flow of liquid in the channel. The flow of liquid is controlled so as to provide a known shear force to the layer of cells. The flow of liquid can be further controlled so as to provide an environment that simulates a vascular space in the channel.

Abstract: A bioreactor for cultivating living cells in a liquid medium. In one embodiment of the present invention, the bioreactor has a first substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, defining a chamber therebetween for receiving the cells and the liquid medium. The bioreactor further has a barrier dividing the chamber into a first subchamber and a second subchamber, wherein the barrier has a porosity to allow the first subchamber and the second subchamber in fluid communication and allow at least one predetermined type of cells to permeate between the first subchamber and the second subchamber.

Abstract: A bioreactor for cultivating living cells in a liquid medium. In one embodiment of the present invention, the bioreactor includes a first substrate having a first surface, an opposite second surface and edges. The bioreactor further includes a second substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, defining a cavity with a bottom surface, where the bottom surface is located therebetween the first surface and the second surface. The first surface of the first substrate is received by the second surface of the second substrate to cover the cavity so as to form a channel for receiving cells and a liquid medium. In forming the bioreactor, the channel is sized to allow the growth of a layer of cells on a biocompatible coating layer and a flow of liquid in the channel. The flow of liquid is controlled so as to provide a known shear force to the layer of cells. The flow of liquid can be further controlled so as to provide an environment that simulates a vascular space in the channel.

Abstract: A bioreactor (200) for cultivating living cells in a liquid medium. In one embodiment, the bioreactor (200) has a substrate (230) having a first surface and an opposite second surface, defining a channel (202) therein, and a plurality of chambers (204) formed in the substrate, wherein each of the plurality of chambers (204) is adapted for receiving cells in a liquid medium and formed with an open end (262), an opposite closed end (264) and side walls, the open end (262) and the closed end (264) defining a depth, d, therebetween for the corresponding chamber (206), the sidewalls defining a width, w, therebetween for the corresponding chamber (206). As such formed, each chamber (206) is in fluid communication with the channel (202) through the open end of the chamber (206), and at least two of the plurality of chambers (206) have depths or widths the same or different form each other.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for using biological material to discriminate an agent. In one embodiment of the present invention, the method includes the steps of providing at least one cell, exposing at least one cell to an agent, measuring the response of the cell to the agent in terms of a physical quantity related to at least one of the cellular physiological activities of the cell, and identifying the agent from the measured response. The method further includes the step of quantifying the agent from the measured response.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for detecting at least one analyte of interest either produced or consumed by a plurality of cell. In one embodiment of the present invention, the method includes the steps of providing a housing defining a chamber, placing a plurality of cells in the chamber, and simultaneously detecting at least two analytes of interest either produced or consumed by the plurality of cells in the chamber.