Abstract: A perfusion bioreactor and a method for using the perfusion bioreactor for performing a continuous cell culture are disclosed. The perfusion bioreactor includes an outer vessel having a housing with a gas permeable membrane, an opening and a cavity; an inner vessel within the cavity; and a lid to cover the opening. A porous membrane within the cavity divides the cavity into inner and outer compartments. A fresh media port extends through the outer vessel or the at least one lid to receive a fresh media tube that has an end located in the inner compartment. A spent media port extends through the outer vessel or the at least one lid to receive a spent media tube that has an end located in the outer compartment. A mixer is within the inner compartment, and the porous membrane is attached to an opening within the inner vessel.

Abstract: Cell culture compositions containing LFM-A13 or a structurally related compound can enhance global hepatic function. For example, LFM-A13 is shown to enhance levels of a broad variety of drug metabolism enzymes, including CYP enzymes, and other hepatic enzymes. LFM-A13 is also shown to promote differentiation of stem cells into hepatocytes. LFM-A13 and structurally related compounds can be used in cell culture to enhance global drug metabolism of liver cells for enhanced in vitro study the effects of drug metabolism on other candidate drug compounds.

Abstract: A lid for a multi-well plate having apertures, each aperture having a gas permeable membrane, and fittings extending from the bottom surface of the lid to fit with a multi-well plate to reduce evaporation of liquid contents from within the wells of the multi-well plate, protect the contents of a multi-well plate from spilling or from mingling with the contents of a neighboring well in a multi-well plate is disclosed. The gas permeable membrane comprises one or more of (i) a continuous or discontinuous thin film associated with each aperture, (ii) a locally-thinned portion of the main body, and (iii) a quantity of material at least partially filling each aperture.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to the bioprocess field and, in particular, to a perfusion bioreactor and a method for using the perfusion bioreactor for performing a continuous cell culture.

Abstract: A bio-container assembly that includes a bio-container having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a container thickness from about 0.2 mm to about 2 mm; at least one port coupled to the bio-container; a holder element comprising a polymeric material; and a cushion affixed to the holder element in contact with one or more primary exterior surfaces of the bio-container. Further, the element and the cushion are configured to enclose the bio-container. The holder element may also include a window, the bio-container being viewable through the window. The holder element may also include one or more of the following features affixed to it: a handle, a plurality of feet, a plurality of ribs, and a plurality of tabs.

Abstract: A lid for a multi-well plate having apertures, each aperture having a gas permeable membrane, and fittings extending from the bottom surface of the lid to fit with a multi-well plate to reduce evaporation of liquid contents from within the wells of the multi-well plate, protect the contents of a multi-well plate from spilling or from mingling with the contents of a neighboring well in a multi-well plate is disclosed. The gas permeable membrane comprises one or more of (i) a continuous or discontinuous thin film associated with each aperture, (ii) a locally-thinned portion of the main body, and (iii) a quantity of material at least partially filling each aperture.

Abstract: Cell culture compositions containing LFM-A13 or a structurally related compound can enhance global hepatic function. For example, LFM-A13 is shown to enhance levels of a broad variety of drug metabolism enzymes, including CYP enzymes, and other hepatic enzymes. LFM-A13 is also shown to promote differentiation of stem cells into hepatocytes. LFM-A13 and structurally related compounds can be used in cell culture to enhance global drug metabolism of liver cells for enhanced in vitro study the effects of drug metabolism on other candidate drug compounds.

Abstract: An article for culturing cells includes (i) a substrate having a surface; (ii) a plurality of pillars extending from the surface of the substrate; and (iii) a polymeric coating disposed on the surface of the substrate between the pillars, forming a plurality of mini-menisci on the surface of the substrate between the plurality of pillars. The mini-menisci may have diameters of from about 20 to about 250 micrometers. The plurality of pillars are spaced apart from one another in a manner to encourage cell growth on the mini-menisci rather than the on top of the pillars. Such articles may effectively address issues associated with the meniscus effect on a global scale.

Abstract: A cell culture article comprises a substrate having a micro-structured surface and a thin hydrophobic elastomeric coating disposed on the substrate. The coating forms a micro-structured cell culture surface and is sufficiently thin to reduce absorption of hydrophobic molecules from an aqueous medium in contact with the coating, relative to articles fabricated entirely from the hydrophobic elastomer.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of making and using polymers compositions. The polymer compositions may have monomer/oligomer mixtures that may have at least one silicone monomer or oligomer and at least one non-silicone monomer or oligomer, at least one crosslinker, and/or at least one polymerization initiator. The polymer compositions are cured, after which they may be useful in bioapplications, such as for use as freestanding films or coatings on a substrate, such as a mold, for cell culture.

Abstract: A substrate plate or device adapted for use with biological or chemical assays is disclosed. The device may take the form of a multi-well plate having a three-dimensional, porous layer as part of a support surface within each well for immobilizing probe species. The porous layer is characterized as having a plurality of interconnected voids defined by a matrix of contiguous solid material. A method and its variants are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) microarrays on porous substrates for structural or functional analyses of GPCRs, and methods of preparing porous substrate surfaces for receiving membranes that comprise GPCRs. In one embodiment, a GPCR microarray of the invention comprises a membrane adhered to an upper surface of a porous substrate, the membrane spanning across a plurality of pores on the porous substrate to form a plurality of cavities having sufficient geometry to permit entry of assay reagents into each cavity, thereby allowing access of assay reagents to both sides of GPCR in the membrane.

Abstract: A substrate plate or device adapted for use with biological or chemical assays is disclosed. The device may take the form of a multi-well plate having a three-dimensional, porous layer as part of a support surface within each well for immobilizing probe species. The porous layer is characterized as having a plurality of interconnected voids defined by a matrix of contiguous solid material. A method and its variants are also described.

Abstract: A substrate plate or device adapted for use with biological or chemical assays is disclosed. The device may take the form of a multi-well plate having a three-dimensional, porous layer as part of a support surface within each well for immobilizing probe species. The porous layer is characterized as having a plurality of interconnected voids defined by a matrix of contiguous solid material. A method and its variants are also described.

Abstract: Buffered assay solutions for performing 1) binding or 2) functional assays on GPCR arrays, along with methods for their use are described. The buffered assay solution has an underlying composition having: a buffer reagent with a pH in the range of about 6.5 to about 7.9; an inorganic salt of either a monovalent or divalent species, at a concentration from about 1 mM to about 500 mM; and optionally a combination of: c) a blocker reagent at a concentration of about 0.01 wt. % to about 2 wt. % of the composition, or d) protease-inhibitor at a concentration of about 0.001 mM to about 100 mM. In an embodiment for functional assay uses, the composition is modified to also include a GTP-analogue, a guanosine 5?-diphosphate (GDP) salt, and/or an anti-oxidant reagent.

Abstract: Buffered assay solutions for performing 1) binding or 2) functional assays on GPCR arrays, along with methods for their use are described. The buffered assay solution has an underlying composition having: a buffer reagent with a pH in the range of about 6.5 to about 7.9; an inorganic salt of either a monovalent or divalent species, at a concentration from about 1 mM to about 500 mM; and optionally a combination of: c) a blocker reagent at a concentration of about 0.01 wt. % to about 2 wt. % of the composition, or d) protease-inhibitor at a concentration of about 0.001 mM to about 100 mM. In an embodiment for functional assay uses, the composition is modified to also include a GTP-analogue, a guanosine 5?-diphosphate (GDP) salt, and/or an anti-oxidant reagent.

Abstract: Buffered assay solutions for performing 1) binding or 2) functional assays on GPCR arrays, along with methods for their use are described. The buffered assay solution has an underlying composition having: a buffer reagent with a pH in the range of about 6.5 to about 7.9; an inorganic salt of either a monovalent or divalent species, at a concentration from about 1 mM to about 500 mM; and optionally a combination of: c) a blocker reagent at a concentration of about 0.01 wt. % to about 2 wt. % of the composition, or d) protease-inhibitor at a concentration of about 0.001 mM to about 100 mM. In an embodiment for functional assay uses, the composition is modified to also include a GTP-analogue, a guanosine 5?-diphosphate (GDP) salt, and/or an anti-oxidant reagent.

Abstract: Reference membrane components are either pre-labeled or labeled during assays for purposes of normalizing signals associated with binding or functional assays employing G-protein coupled receptor microarrays. A reference component may be included in a membrane in which the target GPCR is embedded or may be present in another membrane printed in conjunction with the target membrane on a microspot. Or, a GPCR microarray may be pre-labeled by incorporating a label on an exposed substrate in a defect in the printed microspot.

Abstract: The invention relates to G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) microarrays on porous substrates for structural or functional analyses of GPCRs, and methods of preparing porous substrate surfaces for receiving membranes that comprise GPCRs. In one embodiment, a GPCR microarray of the invention comprises a membrane adhered to an upper surface of a porous substrate, the membrane spanning across a plurality of pores on the porous substrate to form a plurality of cavities having sufficient geometry to permit entry of assay reagents into each cavity, thereby allowing access of assay reagents to both sides of GPCR in the membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) microarrays on porous substrates for structural or functional analyses of GPCRs, and methods of preparing porous substrate surfaces for receiving membranes that comprise GPCRs. In one embodiment, a GPCR microarray of the invention comprises a membrane adhered to an upper surface of a porous substrate, the membrane spanning across a plurality of pores on the porous substrate to form a plurality of cavities having sufficient geometry to permit entry of assay reagents into each cavity, thereby allowing access of assay reagents to both sides of GPCR in the membrane.