Abstract: Cell culture apparatus for emulating gastrointestinal tract conditions and comprising at least two adjacent, microfluidic, cell cultivation channels separated by a permeable or semipermeable membrane, a first channel carrying gastrointestinal tract epithelial cells or tissues and a second channel carrying luminal and preferably mucosal microbiota, and wherein said second channel comprises one or more dwell chambers capable of providing a location for unattached luminal flora to reside away from any direct flow in said second channel, permits modelling of multiple sections of the gastrointestinal tract and control of retention times.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a microfluidic unit (101) for isolating and culturing yeast cells. This microfluidic unit (101) comprises a medium inlet, a medium outlet, a passage interconnecting the inlet and outlet, and in the passage a single cell trapping chamber (109). Moreover, this microfluidic unit (101) comprises further in the passage a daughter cells trapping chamber (111), this chamber (111) is placed downstream of the single cell trapping chamber (109), and configured for retaining the daughter cells while allowing offspring of these daughter cells to escape with a flow of the medium in the passage.

Abstract: Cell culture apparatus for emulating gastrointestinal tract conditions and comprising at least two adjacent, microfluidic, cell cultivation channels separated by a permeable or semipermeable membrane, a first channel carrying gastrointestinal tract epithelial cells or tissues and a second channel carrying luminal and preferably mucosal microbiota, and wherein said second channel comprises one or more dwell chambers capable of providing a location for unattached luminal flora to reside away from any direct flow in said second channel, permits modelling of multiple sections of the gastrointestinal tract and control of retention times.

Abstract: Cell culture apparatus comprising at least two adjacent cell cultivation channels separated by a permeable or semipermeable membrane, wherein at least one channel, for the majority of its length, has a cross sectional area of no more than 1 mm2, said channel being provided with entrance and exit means to permit the passage of media therethrough, allows co-culture of separate cell types, e.g. human and microbial cells, without mingling, allowing monitoring of cell cultures and chemical exchanges between the respective cell cultures.