Abstract: A culture chamber for use in a method of culturing microbiological material, which comprises a wall or at least a portion of a wall consisting of a gas-permeable membrane, a textured interior growth surface arranged for contact with the microbiological material being cultured and at least a portion of the external surface gas-permeable membrane being textured to enhance gas permeability. Preferably, the gas-permeable membrane is textured over the majority of both of its surfaces. This culture chamber provides enhanced gaseous exchange between the interior and exterior of the culture chamber and increased surface area within the culture chamber for cell attachment.

Abstract: A method of making a silicone rubber having a structure adapted for growth of cells or living tissue, which comprises contacting a silicone rubber precursor with a biologically-acceptable sacrificial filler, curing the resultant mixture and removing the sacrificial filler to form a structured silicone rubber. The sacrificial filler is preferably an inorganic salt that has been ground, and the salt is selected from metal halides, metal carbonates and metal bicarbonates.