Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for culturing cells which may comprise two or more culture compartments and a pooling compartment, wherein each of said two or more culture compartments may be separated from the other culture compartments; each of said two or more culture compartments which may comprise a port for the addition or removal of medium; and the pooling compartment communicates with said two or more culture compartments. The present invention also relates to a stand for apparatus for culturing cells.

Abstract: A process for production of an encapsulated cell product, the process comprises the steps of concentrating cells from a propagation medium using a tangential flow filtration system. Mixing the concentrated cells with an encapsulation medium to form a cell encapsulation mixture. Polymerizing, gelling, or cross-linking the cell encapsulation mixture to form an encapsulated cell product.

Abstract: Combining controlled open-ocean iron enrichment with a system for collecting the ensuing biological growth can lead to a fundamental shift towards using marine biomass feedstock for large-scale global biodiesel production. The literature review reveals that open-ocean enrichment effectively reduces both the atmospheric carbon dioxide partial pressure and ocean acidity. A semi-closed ocean system is provided that allows for the efficient cultivation and harvesting of a high tonnage biomass feedstock generated by iron fertilization. The concept methodically capitalizes on the ocean's free nutrients, kinetic/potential energy, and expansive surface area to ensure that the mass, energy, and cost balance equations favor our system while taking care to preserve the ocean's ecosystem. The system is modular, portable, easily scalable system, and minimizes waste.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to delivery of BMP-7 or functional variants or functional fragments thereof and/or a BMP-7 agonist and methods of use thereof. In some embodiments, methods and devices are provided for delivery of BMP-7 or functional variants or functional fragments thereof and/or a BMP-7 agonist to a patient. In some cases, the BMP-7 or functional variants or functional fragments thereof and/or a BMP-7 agonist may be released in controlled fashion from a device in fluid communication with a patient. In some embodiments, the BMP-7 or functional variants or functional fragments thereof and/or a BMP-7 agonist may be expressed by cells within a device. In other embodiments, methods are provided for improving the function of devices containing renal proximal tubule cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for purifying and/or filtering gases. The system and method remove undesired species from a gas through the use of bioorganisms which reside in and on a filtration media. Water and nutrients can be supplied to the filtration media to promote the growth and biological activity of the bioorganisms.

Abstract: A membrane supported bioreactor arrangement and method for anaerobic conversion of gas into liquid products including membrane modules having hollow fibers packed across a cross sectional area of the membrane module, each of the hollow fibers formed from an asymmetric membrane wall having a porous outer layer defining biopores for retaining a porous biolayer about the outer surface of the membrane wall and a less permeable hydration layer around the hollow fiber lumen; a membrane vessel for surrounding the outside of the hollow fibers with a process gas from a gas supply conduit; and a liquid supply conduit operably connected to the hollow fibers for supplying a process liquid to the hollow fiber lumens. The gas supply conduit enables the formation of a biolayer on the outer surface of the hollow fiber wall by interaction of microorganisms with the process gas and the production of a liquid product.

Abstract: An auto-nucleating device includes a tube containing a crystalline cholesterol matrix. The ends of the tube are closed by a membrane that is impermeable to the cholesterol but permeable to liquids contained in a cryopreservation vessel. The auto-nucleating device provides a site for ice nucleation during freezing of the liquid within the vessel. One such cryopreservation vessel is a flexible vial having a closed port at one adapted to be pierced by a needle to withdraw the liquid within, and an opposite end that is initially open to receive the liquid. Another vessel includes an adaptor mounted to liquid container with a tubular branch closed by a needle septum and another tubular branch provided with a barbed fitting for engaging a flexible tube that terminates in a needle septum. In another embodiment, the vessel includes an inlet and vent branch at the top of the container and an outlet septum at a bottom opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (10) for producing L-homophenylalanine and a process for producing L-homophenylalanine using the system (10). The system (10) and the process include monitoring and controlling of the reaction conditions (e.g., temperature and pH) to desired or predetermined values. The monitoring, adjusting and agitating steps provided by the method thereby result in a more complete conversion of the available substrate and produce a sufficient yield of homophenylalanine.

Abstract: A cell culture apparatus includes a cell culture chamber formed by a first major surface, an opposing second major surface spaced apart from the first major surface, and a first side wall around the first chamber and extending between the first and second major surfaces. A portion of the first sidewall proximate the first major surface comprises an infrared absorbent material, and a portion the first sidewall proximate the second major surface is formed from substantially non-infrared absorbent material. The first major surface is formed by a gas permeable polymeric film that is impermeable to cell culture liquid.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for the delivery of carbon to photoautotrophs. The invention utilizes low energy regeneration of adsorbent for CO2 capture and provides for effective CO2 loading into liquids useful for photoautotroph growth and/or production of photosynthetic products, such as biofuels, via photoautotrophic culture media. The inventive system comprises a fluid/membrane/fluid contactor that provides selective transfer of molecular CO2 via a dense (non-porous) membrane from a carbonate-based CO2 snipping solution to a culture medium where the CO2 is consumed by a photoautotroph for the production of biofuels, biofuel precursors or other commercial products.

Abstract: The bioconversion of gas feedstreams to liquid products by direct contact with a layer of microorganism obtains enhanced productivity through the regular cycling of liquid across a substrate that supports a biolayer of microorganisms while separating the gas and liquid phases. Such processes produce liquid products such as ethanol, butanol and other chemicals from syngas components by contacting CO or a mixture of CO2 and H2 with a highly porous side of an asymmetric membrane under anaerobic conditions and transferring these components into contact with microorganisms contained within bio-pores of the membrane. A periodic laving of liquid from the liquid contact side to and away from the microorganisms can increase nutrient flow to the microorganisms while enhancing the recovery of liquid products.

Abstract: The present invention includes a harvesting and irrigation device, a method and a kit for the collection of viable fat cells and/or adipose tissue with decreased handing and improved yield and viability.

Abstract: Ethanol and other liquid products are produced by contacting syngas components such as CO or a mixture of CO2 and H2 with a surface of a membrane under anaerobic conditions and transferring these components in contact with a biofilm on the opposite side of the membrane. These steps provide a stable system for producing liquid products such as ethanol, butanol and other chemicals. The gas fed on the membrane's gas contact side transports through the membrane to form a biofilm of anaerobic microoganisms that converted the syngas to desired liquid products. A liquid impermeable layer of the membrane assists in establishing direct gas phase contact syngas components with the microorganisms. The system can sustain production with a variety of microorganisms and membrane configurations.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for concentrating sample constituents and for multiplying nucleic acids from a biological sample which are containing in the sample constituents. The nucleic acids are amplified on the same filter on which the sample constituents are also separated off.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for selecting stem cells with a serum free medium for amplification of stem cells. The invention also relates to a method of treating or preventing diseases caused by cancer-related stem cells. The invention further provides a method of enhancing radiosensitivity of cancer-related stem cells comprising radiotherapy with resveratrol, and the cancer-related stem cell has stronger drug resistance. The present invention further provides that resveratrol promotes differentiation and inhibits teratoma/tumor formation in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) and embryonic stem cells.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a consumable component kit for use in a system which utilises a liquid culture of a microbiological material, the kit including: a sealed and aseptic culturing vessel; at least one sealed and aseptic chamber for storing a liquid nutrient medium; a sample of the microbiological material; a sample of the nutrient medium which is suitable for use in a feedstock for the microbiological material; optionally, a sample of salts and other components of the liquid nutrient medium; and a plurality of aseptic conduits for connecting the chamber to the culturing vessel, and for connecting the culturing vessel to the remainder of the system to enable a liquid supply of the microbiological material, or a product or extract thereof, to be utilised by the system.

Abstract: An assembly for culturing cells includes a housing defining a reservoir for containing cell culture media and an opening in fluid communication with the reservoir. The cell culture assembly further includes a filter valve assembly configured to sealingly engage the opening. The filter valve assembly includes a flexible membrane, a contiguous side wall, an end wall, and a microbial filter. The end wall has an opening and extends across one end of the side wall to form a major cavity within the side wall and the end wall. The flexible membrane has a slit spanning the membrane and is disposable within the major cavity such that the membrane sealingly divides the major cavity into (i) a chamber formed between the end wall and the membrane and (ii) a minor cavity formed by the membrane and a portion of the side wall. The minor cavity is in fluid communication with the reservoir.

Abstract: Rapid, animal protein free, chromatographic processes and systems for obtaining high potency, high yield botulinum neurotoxin for research, therapeutic and cosmetic use.

Abstract: Gas permeable devices and methods are disclosed for cell culture, including cell culture devices and methods that contain medium at heights, and certain gas permeable surface area to medium volume ratios. These devices and methods allow improvements in cell culture efficiency and scale up efficiency.

Abstract: A nested permeable support device is described herein that can be used to perform various experiments to test new therapeutic compounds (new chemical entities). In one application, the nested permeable support device is used to perform a first pass assay to determine the bioavailability of a new chemical entity following absorption through the digestive tract and metabolism by the liver.

Abstract: Installation for treating a biological liquid, including a circulation pump (5), a filter element (9), a container for collecting treated liquid, a first circuit section connecting a source of said biological liquid to an inlet orifice of said filter element (9), including a circuit element adapted to cooperate with said circulation pump (5); a second circuit section, connecting an outlet orifice of said filter element (9) to said treated liquid collecting container; characterized in that said treated liquid collecting container, said first circuit section and said second circuit section are disposable and said installation further includes a first cart (1) carrying said pump (5) and a second cart (2) including a housing (14) for said collecting container, separable from the first cart (1) and adapted to be at least partly nested in said first cart (1).

Abstract: A device which is capable of providing an artificial condition for three dimensional culture of animal and human cells comprising of two components; First component is a vessel coated in the entire internal surface rendered not suitable for cell adhesion and proliferation and a second component is a cell interactive biomaterial on which cells can attach and grow as monolayer or multiple layers in three dimensions.

Abstract: Gas permeable devices and methods are disclosed for cell culture, including cell culture devices and methods that contain medium at heights, and certain gas permeable surface area to medium volume ratios. These devices and methods allow improvements in cell culture efficiency and scale up efficiency.

Abstract: Gas permeable devices and methods are disclosed for cell culture, including cell culture devices and methods that contain medium at heights, and certain gas permeable surface area to medium volume ratios. These devices and methods allow improvements in cell culture efficiency and scale up efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention describes a system and method for accurately measuring the concentration of a substance within a filter housing. A concentration sensor and a communications device are coupled so as to be able to measure and transmit the concentration of a particular substance within the filter housing while in use. This system can comprise a single component, integrating both the communication device and the concentration sensor. Alternatively, the system can comprise separate sensor and transmitter components, in communication with one another. In yet another embodiment, a storage element can be added to the system, thereby allowing the device to store a set of concentration values. The use of this device is beneficial to many applications. For example, the ability to read concentration values in situ allows integrity tests to be performed without additional equipment.

Abstract: Single-use closed bioreactors with recirculating exhaust gas that can be operated in an uncontrolled environment are reported for the manufacturing of biological products using genetically modified biological cultures that produces carbon dioxide or that requires carbon dioxide in their metabolic process.

Abstract: The invention generally provides a cell culture vessel having at least one first zone and at least one second zone, wherein the first zone is a transfer zone for a culture medium which essentially contains no cells and the second zone is a cell culture zone. The invention further includes methods utilizing the cell culture vessel.

Abstract: A new design for a static diffusion cell for use in a diffusion sampling apparatus to be used in conjunction with automated or manual sampling is disclosed. The diffusion cell of present invention provides to an improved and efficient diffusion assay system.

Abstract: Provided are a cell culture compartment unit and an array including the same. The cell culture compartment unit includes: a cell culture region and a bio material emission region including a cell culture fluid, which are separated with a porous membrane therebetween; a piezoelectric device on the porous membrane of the cell culture region; a thin layer for cell attachment being on the piezoelectric device and having at least one surface on which cells are attachable; and a first power supply applying a first electric field to the piezoelectric device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to in vitro adhesion modules that allow growth, stabilization and study of microbial communities that adhere to and colonize host-related surfaces, that mimic transport of chemical compounds across epithelial surfaces and simulate host-microorganism interactions and adaptation. It includes the provision of micromolar amounts of oxygen via the basal side of a mucus layer towards the adhered microorganisms thus establishing the microaerophilic conditions prevailing at the base of a biofilm. It can also include cells, simulating the host, in a chamber on the basal side of a functional layer comprising said mucus layer. The adhesion module of the present invention can be placed between the different compartments of the SHIME—the Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem. An extension of the SHIME is made where the duodenum, jejunum and ileum are separately mimicked.

Abstract: Bioreactors may be used for the cultivation of cells, in particular of adherent cells, and, in particular for the cultivation and propagation of cell cultures, and utilized in methods for the cultivation of cells. A particular area of application is the use of the bioreactors in the GMP-compliant, fully automatic cultivation and propagation of cells.

Abstract: A process for separating vapors, for example for separating water from ethanol, uses a gas separation membrane unit. Permeate from the membrane unit is compressed and may be used for example as heating steam for distillation. The membrane unit may have two or more stages. Permeate from a stage may be condensed and used for example as fermentation make up water, compressed and fed to the permeate from an upstream stage or heating steam, or fed to another membrane stage for further dewatering. The gas separation membrane unit may be used to remove water from a fermentation broth that has been partially dewatered, for example by one or more of a distillation column or molecular sieve.

Abstract: A bioreactor includes a cylinder, a mandrel and a filter film. The cylinder includes two end walls and a circumferential wall interconnected with the both end walls; the two end walls and circumferential wall define together a reaction chamber. The mandrel is disposed between the two end walls. The mandrel has an inlet path and an outlet path provided on its both ends; the filter film wraps the mandrel to prevent passage of the first kind of substance while permit the passage of the second kind of substance; a gap is defined between the filter film and mandrel; at least one portion of the filter film is tied so as to divide the gap into multiple separate and isolated gap regions to prevent the second fluid from direct exiting from the outlet path through the gap. Also disclosed are control system and method for the bioreactor.

Abstract: A bioparticle collection device and an aerosol collection system. The bioparticle collection device includes a collection medium including a plurality of fibers formed into a fiber mat and configured to collect bioparticles thereon, and includes a viability enhancing material provider disposed in a vicinity of the plurality of fibers and configured to provide a viability enhancing material to the collected bioparticles to maintain viability of the bioparticles collected by the fiber mat. The aerosol collection system includes an aerosol pumping device configured to entrain particles in an gas stream, an aerosol saturation device configured to saturate the particles in the gas stream with a biocompatible liquid, and an aerosol collection medium downstream from the aerosol saturation device and including a plurality of fibers formed into a fiber mat for collection of the saturated aerosol particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for co-culturing two or more populations of cells using ultrathin, porous membranes positioned between cell culture chambers. Multiple chamber devices and uses thereof are described, including the formation of in vitro tissue models for studying drug delivery, cell-cell interactions, and the activity of low abundance molecular species.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and bioreactors capable of delivering oxygen to a cell culture using oxygen-carrying molecules. The bioreactor comprises at least two chambers separated by an oxygen-permeable membrane. The oxygen-carrying molecules are chosen from extracellular hemoglobin isolated from worm belonging to Arenicoliolae family or Nereidiolae family.

Abstract: Microfluidic methods and devices for heterogeneous binding and agglutination assays are disclosed, with improvements relating to mixing and to reagent and sample manipulation in systems designed for safe handling of clinical test samples.

Abstract: The invention relates to a CO2 fixation and organic waste processing method, wherein microorganisms (105) from a phytoplanktonic culture and organic waste (104) are processed inside a hydrolysis reactor (101); at least part of a liquid effluent (109) exiting the hydrolysis reactor is processed inside a methanation reactor (102); a liquid phase (127) and biogas to be purified (110) exiting Step (a?) are processed inside a phytoplanktonic microorganism culture unit (103); a CO2-containing gaseous effluent (113) is injected into the phytoplanktonic microorganism culture unit; an NH3 concentration under 0.5 g/L is maintained inside the methanation reactor; and a methane-enriched biogas is recovered upon exiting the phytoplanktonic microorganism culture unit. The invention also relates to a system for implementing this method.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention preferably relate to a method and apparatus for a two-stage membrane-based production of gas, preferably hydrogen gas or the like, from solid biological materials, preferably organic waste materials or the like, comprising anaerobic hydrolysis and fermentation and photofermentation using microorganisms.

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: The invention relates to a method for producing a body (7) comprising cellulose with the help of cellulose-producing organisms, which are supplied with a nutrient solution. A particularly uniform structure and density of the cellulose bodies can be achieved when a vessel (1) having a membrane (4) is supplied, said membrane being permeable to the nutrient solution and is substantially impermeable to the organisms, wherein the organisms are cultivated on one side of the membrane (4), where a gas atmosphere prevails, and the nutrient solution is arranged on the other side of the membrane and passes through the membrane (4) in the direction of the organisms, to supply them.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a sample inlet for receiving a sample of biological material having nucleic acid sequences, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) section for amplifying the nucleic acid sequences, the PCR section having at least one elongate PCR chamber having a longitudinal extent much greater than its lateral dimensions, and, at least one elongate heater element for heating the nucleic acid sequences within the elongate PCR chamber, wherein, the elongate heater element extends parallel with the longitudinal extent of the PCR chamber.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a supporting substrate, a microsystems technologies (MST) layer on the supporting substrate, a cap overlying the MST layer, the cap having a plurality of fluidic connections between the cap and the MST layer for fluid flow from the MST layer to the cap and fluid flow from the cap to the MST layer.

Abstract: This invention relates three dimensional porous cell culture matrices or scaffolds which have directional porous structure. More particularly, this invention relates to three dimensional porous cell culture matrices or scaffolds for cell culture which are derived from or contain gums including naturally occurring gums, plant gums, galactomannan gums or derivatives thereof. The invention also relates to methods of making the matrices, articles of manufacture (e.g., cell culture vessels and labware) having such matrices or scaffolds, methods of applying these materials to cell culture surfaces, and methods of using cell culture vessels having these three dimensional porous cell culture matrices or scaffolds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for treating the blood of slaughtered animals, the system comprising: a storage tank for collecting and storing the blood of animals slaughtered in a slaughter plant; a blood treatment tank in which the animal blood is received and stored from the blood storage tank and into which a liquid microbial agent for treating blood is introduced so that microorganisms of the liquid microbial agent are allowed to react at a temperature of 25˜35° C. for 8-12 hours, thereby separating the animal blood into an amino acid solution and a waste blood sludge; a blood-treating agent supply unit for supplying the liquid microbial agent to the blood treatment tank; a water supply unit for supplying water to the blood treatment tank; a filtering means for filtering the amino acid solution discharged from the blood treatment tank to remove impurities; a heater for maintaining the blood treatment tank at a temperature of 25˜35° C.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting or culturing cells or cell colonies has a common substrate and a plurality of cell carriers releasably connected to the common substrate. The carriers are arranged in the form of an array. The invention employs microcups as the cell carriers. The substrate is preferably free of barriers between the microcups, and in some embodiments the microcups have porous walls. Methods of using the apparatus are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of cell and tissue culture. In particular, the invention relates to devices for cell culture. A device for cell culture, according to the invention comprises (i) a medium conduit having one open end and one end closed by a porous membrane fused across it; and (ii) a frame holding the medium conduit in a substantially vertical orientation; wherein the medium conduit is adapted to permit retention by capillarity of a sufficient volume of liquid culture medium in the medium conduit to contact the surface of the porous membrane and thus supply nutrients to cells that may be grown on the porous membrane, characterised in that the surface of the membrane contralateral to the surface of said porous membrane sealed to said medium conduit comprises a hydrophobic barrier adapted to contain the culture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for treating a first off-gas stream in a gasification process to provide an ammonium-rich stream. The method comprises providing a first off-gas stream by separating a slurry bleed stream in a sour slurry stripper to provide the first off-gas stream and a stripped slurry stream. The first off-gas stream is passed to a hydrolysis zone operated to provide a second off-gas stream. The second off-gas stream is scrubbed with an aqueous acidic stream in an ammonia scrubber to provide a third off-gas stream.

Abstract: Systems are provided for convenient and sterile isolation, collection, and seeding of cells onto a scaffold or tissue graft. The systems may be closed. Methods for use of the disclosed systems for isolation, collection and seeding of cells and generation of tissue engineered vascular grafts are also provided. The systems may be supplied in kits for efficient and expeditious use.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bioreactor in which a supporting wall (100) or a retaining mechanism (100) that represents pressure relief for a gas-tightly embodied flap is provided behind the flap (14) used for filling and emptying the bioreactor while percolate is prevented from accumulating between the gas-tight flap and the retaining mechanism. The gas-tightly closable flap, which has a sufficiently large size, makes it easy to fill biomass into the container and remove the remaining biomass following the methanation process. The biomass applies substantial or at least a certain amount of pressure to the retaining system when the container is closed, whereby the flap is relieved of the load and can be embodied in a light and accurately sealing manner.