Abstract: The thermocycling inspection device includes a holder-accommodating space 10 for accommodating the chip holder 50 therein, a thermocycling section 20 for heating and cooling the inspection chip 60, and a detector 30 for taking a picture of the inspection chip 60, and when the thermocycling section 20 heats or cools or when a picture is taken by the detector 30, the thermocycling section 20 is disposed on one side of the holder-accommodating space 10, the detector 30 is disposed on other side of the holder-accommodating space 10, and the holder-accommodating space 10 is formed such that an optical axis of the detector 30 and a sample introducing port 62 match with each other. According to this, polymerase chain reaction can be carried out, and inspection can be carried out using the inspection chip which carries out the polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract: Tissue-processing containers are disclosed for facilitating multistep processing of tissue. Also disclosed are systems incorporating the tissue-processing containers that include shakers, incubators, controllers, and pumps. Multistep methods are disclosed for processing tissues using the tissue-processing containers. The tissue-processing containers are specially designed to achieve efficiencies in automated tissue processing, exposure of tissues to processing media, and multistep tissue processing protocols. The described tissue-processing containers comprise a cup-like cavity comprising a middle hole covered by a mesh screen, troughs for separate processing steps, and are stackable in a substantially airtight and substantially watertight manner. Tissues for processing using the described tissue-processing containers include nerve tissue.

Abstract: Devices for magnetic 3d culture are described including magnetic lids/bases for single Petri plates and adjustable height cap for same. Similar devices for multi-magnet culture plates wherein multiwell plates have all adjacent magnets orientated in the opposite polarity, and methods of making same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic device for simulating the structure and function of an in vivo tissue barrier. Specifically, the present invention relates to a microfluidic device that can be used as a model for new drug development and toxicity assessment and the like by simulating the structure and function of a two-dimensional-three-dimensional connective tissue barrier or a three-dimensional tissue barrier and thus replacing animal models, a method of culturing cells in the microfluidic device, and a method of simulating an organ or a body part using the microfluidic device.

Abstract: A microperifusion system includes at least one perifusate reservoir module having N receptacles and at least one port to communicate a pressurizing gas into or out from the respective perifusate reservoir module. A corresponding perifusion chamber module having M microperifusion channels is mechanically coupleable to at least one perifusate reservoir module to thereby form, when coupled, a sealed fluid communication between a selected first number of the N receptacles and a selected second number of the microperifusion channels. A control system module is coupleable to each perifusate reservoir and each perifusion chamber to control a flow of pressuring gas communicated into or out from the perifusate reservoir sense an effect of a microperifusion test operation occurring in each microperifusion channel.

Abstract: A closed-loop perfusion system may include a sealed biological culture container configured to house a biological cell culture, and a filtering unit that permits passage of waste products from an output of the sealed biological cell culture container, permits passage of nutrients from a nutrient media solution, and blocks passage of beneficial molecules from the output of the sealed biological cell culture container. The system may further include a first fluid path between an output of the sealed biological cell culture container and an input of the filtering unit, a second fluid path between an output of the filtering unit and an input of the sealed biological cell culture, and a pump to control the flow of media through the first fluid path and the second fluid path.

Abstract: Disclosure relates to a device and a method of using the device for conducting biological and chemical assays on a sample. The device includes two plates. The first plate includes at least a first and a second sample contact areas on its inner surface. Each sample contact area includes spacers having a bottom end fixed on the inner surface and a top end that is distal to the inner surface. The spacers in the first sample contact area differ in height from those in the second sample contact area. The first and second sample contact areas are disposed at different depths along the inner surface of the first plate, so that the top ends of the spacers are aligned on the same flat plane. The method includes depositing the sample onto the sample contact areas, compressing the sample into a thin layer, and analyzing the sample.

Abstract: The present invention describes an integrated incubator and image capture module that regulates the incubator atmosphere and obtains high-resolution digital images of sample specimens. The incubator has a cabinet type enclosure that enables the provision of a controlled environment to the contents of the incubator by having at least three ports on one face of the cabinet for the passage of sample containers. Additionally, an image capture module is located immediately adjacent to the incubator. In this regard, using at least three separate access/egress points for the sample containers streamlines operation of the system and enhances preservation of the incubator environment. Furthermore, locating the image capture module directly adjacent to the incubator reduces the amount of time a sample container is exposed to the external environment, thereby reducing the extent to which samples are exposed to potential contaminants and reducing the exchange of the lab and ambient atmospheres.

Abstract: A bioreactor including a containment structure containing a liquid culture medium for cultivating seaweed. The containment structure includes a sidewall extending vertically between a top and bottom section where the bottom section has an effluent arranged to allow extraction of cultivated seaweed. A spiral liner is positioned adjacent to an inside surface of the sidewall. The recirculator includes a pump arranged to continuously receive a portion of the liquid culture medium via an inlet from the bottom section and output the liquid culture medium via the outlet at the top section. Sensors monitor environmental conditions within the bioreactor. Light emitters are arranged along a surface of the spiral liner. Flow generators, positioned within the containment structure in a spiral configuration between the top section and bottom section, are configured to direct a flow of the liquid culture medium from the top section toward the bottom section of the containment structure.

Abstract: An in vitro model of an in vivo gastrointestinal tract including an in vitro model of an in vivo small intestine including a plurality of fermentation vessels and an in vitro model of an in vivo large intestine including a plurality of fermentation vessels is provided. A method of simulating a biotransformation of food product through the human digestive tract using an in vitro model of an in vivo gastrointestinal tract is provided.

Abstract: At least one tool removably mountable on a cell incubator mandrel or a cell incubator having at least one mandrel having an end portion, the at least one mandrel mounted on a movable transport for moving the at least one mandrel and at the least one tool removably mountable on the end portion of the at least one mandrel. The at least one tool is preferably electrically powered and controllable by signals applied to the at least one tool to perform at least one operation with respect to the incubation of cells.

Abstract: A respirator for measuring a respiratory rate of a biofilm includes a body, a carbon dioxide absorption tube and a perforated partition disposed in an interior of the body. The perforated partition divides the interior of the body into an oxygen mass-transfer stir zone including a stirring device and a biofilm reaction zone for placing MBBR fillers. The carbon dioxide absorption tube includes an air vent and contains a solution capable of absorbing CO2. The perforated partition has a first hole corresponding to a middle portion and a lower portion of the perforated partition and acting as a liquid-exchange channel, and a second hole corresponding to an upper portion of the perforated partition and acting as a gas-exchange channel, and the oxygen mass-transfer stir zone is communicated with the biofilm reaction zone through the liquid-exchange channel and the gas-exchange channel.

Abstract: Described is an apparatus for culturing cells or tissue, the apparatus comprising a container comprising a bottom and at least one sidewall, wherein at least a part of the bottom comprises a gas permeable material or is adapted to engage with a gas permeable material and is perforated to allow gaseous exchange; a detachable top adapted to engage with the container to define a chamber, wherein at least a part of the top comprises a gas permeable material or is adapted to engage with a gas permeable material and is perforated to allow gaseous exchange; and a scaffold adapted to receive a substrate for cells to reside upon. The apparatus is configurable between (a) a first mode in which the substrate is not disposed in gaseous communication with a gas permeable material, and (b) a second mode in which the substrate is disposed in gaseous communication with a gas permeable material.

Abstract: A method of creating a reperfusion injury can include: providing a cell culture device having an internal chamber with at least one port coupled to a perfusion modulating system capable of modulating perfusion in the internal chamber, wherein the internal chamber includes a cell culture; perfusing a fluid through the internal chamber with the perfusion modulating system, wherein the perfusion modulating system includes at least one pump; reducing fluid flow through the internal chamber; reperfusing fluid flow through the internal chamber; and creating a reperfusion injury in the cell culture by the reperfusion of the fluid flow through the internal chamber. The cell culture includes at least one type of tissue cell. The cell culture can include a tissue construct formed of hydrogel and/or extracellular matrix.

Abstract: A method for controlling at least one culture parameter in a bioreactor bag (1; 31 a, 31 b) provided in a bioreactor system, the method comprising the steps of: providing bioreactor information to a control unit (5; 35) controlling the bioreactor system; controlling the at least one culture parameter in dependence of the bioreactor information.

Abstract: Proposed are a three-dimensional structuring method of cells and a three-dimensional structuring system of cells capable of efficiently bonding multiple cell clusters in a three-dimensional direction, pursuant to their growth, while ensuring safety. A plurality of fibers, in which one end of each of the fibers is held by a flat plate, are inserted together with the flat plate into a flow path through which a culture solution is supplied, a plurality of cell clusters are placed in the flow path upon causing the cell clusters to run with a liquid flow of the culture solution, and each of the cell clusters is cultured by being stacked on an outer surface of each of the fibers with the flat plate as a growth origin.

Abstract: A device (20) for creating cell-exclusion zones comprises a baseplate (21) having a first major face from which a plurality of exclusion reliefs (22) project, each exclusion relief (22) having at least one distal end (23) configured for contact with a bottom (11b) of a respective well (11) of a multi-well cell-culture plate (10). The baseplate (21) and the plurality of exclusion reliefs (22) are defined at least in part by an elastic or flexible material in such a way that at least the baseplate (21) is elastically deformable at least during removal thereof from a multi-well cell-culture plate (10), the elastic or flexible material preferably being an elastomer.

Abstract: A biomimetic system is provided for evaluating an effect of a test sample in vitro, and includes at least one organ chip, at least one medium container, a liquid pump, a nebulizer, a gas pump, and a chamber device. The liquid pump is provided to drive a liquid medium in the medium container to flow into a lower sub-channel of the organ chip and then to be discharged back into the medium container. The nebulizer is provided for atomizing a test solution including the test sample into an aerosol. The gas pump is provided to generate a pressurized gas which force the aerosol to flow out of a chamber of the chamber device and then to flow through an upper sub-channel of the organ chip.

Abstract: The present invention provides an organoid culture device, comprising at least one first chamber for storing a culture medium; at least one second chamber for culturing an organoid; and a channel that interconnects adjacent chambers.

Abstract: A platform and method for testing antibiotic sensitivity of a polymicrobial infection is provided. The platform includes a body defining a plurality of sets of chambers and a plurality of wells. Each set of chambers has a plurality of chambers adapted for culturing microbes of the polymicrobial infection therein. Each well is associated with a corresponding set of chambers and has an input in fluidic communication with the outlets of the plurality of chambers in the corresponding set of chambers. Selected antibiotic therapies may be received in the wells which fluidically connect the plurality of chambers in a corresponding set of chambers such that microbes cultured in the plurality of chambers in the corresponding set of chambers are in soluble factor contact.