Abstract: There are provided a cell culture device and associated method for preparing an in vitro model of a neuromuscular junction (NMJ). The cell culture device can include a cell culture layer that includes a neuronal cells channel for receiving neuronal cells therein, and a neuromuscular junction chamber in fluid communication with the neuronal cells channel to receive muscle cells therein to enable co-culture of the neuronal cells with the muscle cells and form the NMJ. The neuronal cells channel includes a first portion having a first portion cross-section and a second portion having a second portion cross-section that is smaller than the first portion cross-section and provided downstream of the first portion to retain neuronal cells. The neuromuscular junction chamber can optionally include pillars for culturing muscle cells therebetween. The in vitro model can be used for analysing a biological material from a patient or diagnose a condition, for instance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for culturing and/or analyzing cells are provided. The system can include a microfluidic layer, a multi-well grid layer and a base layer. An electrode layer can optionally be provided. The system can also include an alignment feature for aligning microchannels of the microfluidic layer with electrodes of the electrode layer to achieve a predetermined organized architecture of the microchannels relative to the electrodes. The system can include a plurality of microfluidic layers and a microfluidic layer engaging frame engageable with the plurality of microfluidic layers to form a unitary structure engageable with a multi-well plate comprising a plurality of wells each comprising an electrode layer. A well identification feature associated with a microfluidic unit can be provided on an upper surface of the multi-grid layer to enable visual identification of a well of the multi-well grid layer that is in fluid communication with a microfluidic unit.