Abstract: A bioreactor for producing hydrogen gas and other metabolites. The bioreactor utilizes light, fermentation, and other metabolic processes for the production of metabolites, derived from various microorganisms contained within the bioreactor through respective metabolic pathways. The bioreactor comprises a main reactor chamber, a semipermeable membrane, a sleeve, a power supply, a substrate medium, a heating member, a plurality of tubing members, a collection reservoir, a pressure-sealed connecter member, and an agitator.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides a biomimetic lung disease model, and methods of its production and use. In one exemplary embodiment, the biomimetic lung disease model can include a first and second microchannel with a membrane coated with airway epithelial cells disposed between the microchannels and at least one device coupled to the biomimetic model that delivers an agent to at least one microchannel. In certain embodiments, the agent is cigarette smoke.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cell culture vessel/sample observation cell that is capable of culturing cells or cell tissue in three dimensions and allowing a three-dimensional structure of the cells or the cell tissue to be perceived easily. The cell culture vessel/sample observation cell according to the present invention for containing a culture gel in which the cells or the cell tissue is embedded, comprises a frame, at least one window bordered by the frame, and at least one projection projecting from the frame inwardly into the cell culture vessel/sample observation cell, wherein the at least one window is light-permeable and nutrient component-permeable and is placed in such a way as to allow for multifaceted observation of the cells or the cell tissue, and the projection has a feature point to be placed at a position where the cells or the cell tissue as well as the feature point can be observed from the window.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to passively replacing media in a closed cell expansion system to reduce or prevent the dilution of chemical signaling used to inhibit signaling pathways that keep a cell population in the lag phase of cell growth. To prevent such dilution, active inlet fluid flow to the system may be halted. To replace fluid lost by the system, a bag containing media may be attached to the waste line in replacement of the waste or outlet bag connected thereto. By turning off one or more pumps, media from the replacement bag is added to the system at the rate of evaporation. Chemical signaling dilution may be prevented while conserving system resources. Enhancement of chemical signaling to reduce the lag phase of cell growth may further be accomplished by adding molecules, such as chemical-signaling proteins, from a direct source to the system.

Abstract: A vitrification device for gametes or embryos, wherein, the vitrification straw comprises: a loading rod, wherein the loading rod is a metal rod; a loading strip, wherein, the loading strip is connected with one end of the loading rod. According to the present invention, the loading rod is arranged as metal rod, which avoids embrittlement fracture caused by sudden temperature change when the loading rod is taken out of liquid nitrogen, moreover, the ice crystals that form on gametes or embryos when the loading rod floats out of the surface of liquid nitrogen, affecting the safety of gametes or embryos, the metal material used by this invention can increase the weight of the loading rod, preventing it from floating up in the liquid nitrogen, hence improve safety of gametes or embryos.

Abstract: A cell culture system or assembly, flask, plate and dish for growing, viewing and evaluating cells; and methods of use.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for growing cells—referred to as a cassette. The cell culturing device includes a housing that contains a lid having an optically clear window; a fluid distribution channel; a sample injection port fluidically connected to the fluid distribution channel; a base housing a porous media pad; and a media injection port fluidically connected to the media pad. The lid mates to the base to form a sterile seal; the fluid distribution channel is disposed over the media pad, which is viewable through the optical window; and sample fluid introduced into the fluid distribution channel is distributed evenly to the media pad, e.g., via a plurality of channels. The invention also provides kits that include cassettes of the invention and a tube set.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a perfusion loop assembly for an ex vivo liver perfusion including: a pump for providing a fluid flow of a perfusion fluid through a first branch line and a second branch line; the first branch line being configured to provide a first portion of the perfusion fluid to the hepatic artery of the liver; the first branch line being coupled with a first gas exchanger, the second branch line being configured to provide a second portion of the perfusion fluid to the portal vein of the liver; the second branch line further including a first valve for controlling the flow of the perfusion fluid into the portal vein of the liver, a liver chamber assembly configured to hold the liver ex vivo, a liver outlet line attached to the vena cava of the ex vivo liver, at least one reservoir connected to the liver outlet and upstream from the pump.

Abstract: Provided is a cell culture system capable of mixing a medium for culturing animal or plant cells. The cell culture system includes a body, a movable plate including an accommodation space accommodating a culture bag accommodating a medium to mix the medium, and being tiltable in multiple directions by a central joint mounted at a first location of the body, a first actuator mounted between the body and a second location of the movable plate to move the movable plate, a second actuator mounted between the body and a third location of the movable plate to move the movable plate, and a controller for applying a control signal to the first and second actuators, wherein a first angle between a first reference line extending from the first location to the second location, and a second reference line extending from the first location to the third location is 120°.

Abstract: A supporting device for an image capturing device on a bioreactor, a bioreactor, and a method of use are provided. The supporting device for an image capturing device includes a window and a holder. The window has a transparent element that is transparent to electromagnetic radiation. The holder is configured to hold the image capturing device. The supporting device is held at least partially in a through-opening of a feedthrough of a container for holding fluid media containing biological material. The window seals the through-opening.

Abstract: Application of the present invention enables quantification of fractions of candidate pharmaceutical compounds (a parent compound and its metabolites), one excreted to the basolateral (Basal/Basolateral)-side via transporters and by diffusion, one excreted to the lumen (Apical)-side, and one remained in the cells. This enables determination of the total amount of the administered candidate pharmaceutical compounds and the distribution ratio of the fractions. The kinetics of the administered candidate pharmaceutical compounds can be evaluated, thereby enabling in vitro screening of an enormous number of candidate pharmaceutical compounds for drug candidates exhibiting the efficacy.

Abstract: 2D and 3D cell culture containers formed from blends of poly-L-lactide and poly-D-lactide provide growth surfaces for adherent cells and do not require surface treatment or coating to support mammalian cell growth. The cell culture containers are transparent, heat tolerant, and are environmentally degradable and suitable for composting in landfills.

Abstract: A system for quickly determining antibiotic sensitivity of a microorganism comprising a triangular-shaped plate and cover for culturing, recovering, and re-suspending recovered microbial colonies and a second triangular-shaped plate comprising a non-liquid medium cut with concentric trenches over which the re-suspended microbial colonies are distributed by centrifugation and contacted with antimicrobial strips or disks.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of bioreactors for therapeutic cells manufacturing are provided herein. In some embodiments, a bioreactor includes: an upper bioreactor reservoir configured to perform multiple cell therapy manufacturing process steps including genetic modification and expansion to a plurality of cells disposed therein, wherein the upper bioreactor reservoir includes a plurality of ports for delivering fluids into and out of the upper bioreactor reservoir; a lower bioreactor compartment configured to hold a suspension comprising a molecular species; and a membrane disposed between the lower bioreactor compartment and the upper bioreactor reservoir, wherein the membrane includes a plurality of micro-straws extending through the membrane and into the upper bioreactor reservoir to transfect the plurality of cells with the molecular species.

Abstract: Miniature stirred tank bioreactor and system; the bioreactor configured for single use culturing providing unobstructed culturing volume with sensors, probes and ports using minimally invasive placement in-wall or across the wall methods; the bioreactor further capable of containing scaffolds and features for culturing cells and tissue, including structures providing surfaces for cell growth, and screens for retaining microparticles during media exchange.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides cassettes for use in automated cell engineering systems that include cell concentration filters for reducing fluid volume of a cell sample during or following automated processing. The disclosure also provides methods of concentrating a cell population, as well as automated cell engineering systems that can utilize the cassettes and carry out the methods.

Abstract: A PCR vessel (1) is mainly constituted of a vessel body (11) having a reaction chamber (12) storing and reacting a specimen and a reagent at the time of PCR on a bottom portion (14) thereof, a lid body (6) fittable with the vessel body (11), and a reagent cassette (16) stored in a portion between a lower surface (7) of the lid body (5) and the reaction chamber (12) in the vessel body (11). The reagent cassette (16) has at least one reagent storing portion capable of sealing the reagent with sealing means such as paraffin solid before PCR and melted by heating in PCR. When structuring the PCR vessel in this manner, the sealing means is melted by heating in PCR and the reagent storing portion is opened when storing a specimen necessary for PCR in the vessel body and performing PCR in a state previously storing and sealing the reagent in the reagent storing portion. Then, the specimen and the reagent move to the lower reaction chamber.

Abstract: A cell culture vessel includes a vessel body, support columns, and a stabilizer device. The vessel body defines a cell culture chamber enclosed between a bottom wall and a top wall. The support column is within the cell culture chamber and extends between the top wall and the bottom wall. The stabilizer device covers a width and length of the cell culture chamber and has a column engaging structure that is sized to slidingly engage the support column such that the stabilizer device is movable along the support column as a liquid culture medium is received in the cell culture chamber. The support column guides the stabilizer device along a length of the support column as the stabilizer device rises with rising liquid level in the cell culture chamber during a liquid culture medium filling operation.

Abstract: The invention provides an automated system for producing induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from adult somatic cells. Further, the system is used for producing differentiated adult cells from stem cells.

Abstract: An electroporation system may include a well plate, a dispenser and a dispenser-well positioning system. The well plate may include wells, each of the wells including an interior, a first electrode adjacent the interior and a second electrode adjacent the interior and spaced from the first electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are to apply an electrostatic field across the well. The dispenser is to dispense a cell having a diameter into each of the wells. The dispenser-well positioning system is to align each well and the dispenser such that the dispenser dispenses the cell into each well at a location spaced from the first electrode and the second electrode by a distance of at least 5 times the diameter of the cell.