Abstract: A cell culture apparatus includes one or more plates having a first major surface and an opposing second major surface. The first major surface comprises a structured surface defining a plurality of wells. Each well has an interior surface defining an upper aperture and a nadir, wherein the upper aperture of each well has a diametric dimension in a range from 100 micrometers to 2000 micrometers. The apparatus also includes a plurality of spacers extending from the first major surface along a length of the bottom surface. A plurality of flow channels are defined between adjacent rails.

Abstract: A fluidic device for culturing cells includes a microplate and plate lid. The microplate includes multiple wells and channels, the channels extending between the wells such that the channels interconnect the wells. The plate lid releasably engages the microplate to thereby enclose the wells and the channels. The wells include a culture surface such that a cell culture medium received therein is deposited over the culture surface. At least one channel that extends between adjacent ones of the wells is spaced from the culture surfaces of the adjacent wells defining a gap between the at least one channel and the culture surfaces of the adjacent wells for collection of the cell culture medium.

Abstract: A cell culture apparatus includes one or more plates having a first major surface and an opposing second major surface. The first major surface comprises a structured surface defining a plurality of wells. Each well has an interior surface defining an upper aperture and a nadir, wherein the upper aperture of each well has a diametric dimension in a range from 100 micrometers to 2000 micrometers. The apparatus also includes a plurality of spacers extending from the first major surface along a length of the bottom surface. A plurality of flow channels are defined between adjacent rails.

Abstract: A connected ecosystem for a laboratory environment comprises an electronic lab notebook, and instrumented biosafety cabinet, and one or more sensing vessels containing cell cultures. The electronic lab notebook interfaces with the instrumented biosafety cabinet to provide instructions, guidance, and monitoring of a user during the set up of the experimental protocol and to receive commands from the user via one of several input modalities. After the experimental protocol has been set up in the instrumented biosafety cabinet, cell cultures may be moved to an incubator where the connected ecosystem may provide automatic monitoring of the cultures. The automatic monitoring is provided by sensors integrated into cell culture vessels and supplemented by images of the cell cultures captured by a camera. The user may be informed of deviations from expected results detected based on the automatic monitoring.

Abstract: A sensing cell culture vessel having one or more sensors on or in the vessel is configured to collect readings of various parameters or characteristics of a cell culture located within the sensing cell culture vessel and transmit the readings. The sensing cell culture vessels may be accompanied by a sensing plate having means for reading the one or more sensors and transmitting the one or more sensors to a server hosting electronic lab notebook for analyzing and storage of the readings. Sensing plates may further be equipped with cameras for imaging cell cultures located in the sensing cell culture vessels and transmitting the images to the server hosting the electronic lab notebook for analyzing and storage of the images. Embodiments of the invention allow for the continuous and automatic monitoring of cell cultures.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a cell culture media extending material capable of releasing nutrients into the cell culture environment slowly overtime. In embodiments, this material is a part of a cell culture vessel. In embodiments, the material is a coating or a film on a surface of a cell culture material. In additional embodiments, the material is a surface upon which cells are cultured, such as a cell culture vessel or a microcarrier.

Abstract: Vial assemblies comprising a tubular body and a flexible bottom or flexible liner are described herein, wherein the flexible bottom or liner is configured to compress at least partially upon the application of force. Methods for storing and removing frozen samples from such vial assemblies are also described herein.

Abstract: A spheroid cell culture article including: a frame having a chamber including: an opaque side wall surface; a top aperture; a gas-permeable, transparent bottom; and optionally a chamber annex surface and second bottom, and at least a portion of the transparent bottom includes at least one concave arcuate surface, is disclosed. Methods of making and using the article are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cell culture well insert may include a frame defining a first open end, a second open end, and at least one support extending therebetween. The cell culture well insert may also include a fluid permeable mesh coupled to the frame and disposed across the second open end. The mesh may define pores that have an average pore size in a range from 10 micrometers to 100 micrometers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to agarose and methylcellulose storage and transport mediums, systems for cell storage and transport, and cell storage and transport methods. The instantly-disclosed agarose and methylcellulose storage and transport medium is ideally suited for 3D spheroid cell culture storage and transport. In particular aspects, the storage and transport mediums, systems, and methods are used in combination with or performed in labware that combine 3D spheroid culture with a gas permeable, micro-patterned design that allows for protection and prolonged maintenance of spheroid cell (e.g. hepatocytes) viability and functionality during storage and transport.

Abstract: A cell culture insert for use in culturing cells to promote the formation of spheroids and methods of using these spheroid-promoting cell culture inserts. The cell culture insert includes a porous membrane and one or more sidewalls that are non-adherent to cells and cause the cells in the insert to associate with each other and form spheroids.

Abstract: A multilayered cell culture apparatus for the culturing of cells is disclosed. The cell culture apparatus is defined as an integral structure having a plurality of cell culture chambers in combination with tracheal space(s). The body of the apparatus has imparted therein gas permeable membranes in combination with tracheal spaces that will allow the free flow of gases between the cell culture chambers and the external environment. The flask body also includes an aperture that will allow access to the cell growth chambers by means of a needle or cannula. The size of the apparatus, and location of an optional neck and cap section, allows for its manipulation by standard automated assay equipment, further making the apparatus ideal for high throughput applications.

Abstract: A cell culture apparatus may include a substrate defining a well. The well may define an interior surface, an exterior surface, an upper aperture and a nadir. The substrate may define a thickness between the interior and exterior surfaces that has a thickness proximate the nadir that is greater than or equal to a thickness proximate the upper aperture.

Abstract: A multilayered cell culture apparatus for the culturing of cells is disclosed. The cell culture apparatus is defined as an integral structure having a plurality of cell culture chambers in combination with tracheal space(s). The body of the apparatus has imparted therein gas permeable membranes in combination with tracheal spaces that will allow the free flow of gases between the cell culture chambers and the external environment. The flask body also includes an aperture that will allow access to the cell growth chambers by means of a needle or cannula. The size of the apparatus, and location of an optional neck and cap section, allows for its manipulation by standard automated assay equipment, further making the apparatus ideal for high throughput applications.

Abstract: Various implementations of a system and method for analyzing extracellular vesicles (EVs) are disclosed having a number of innovative features. In one implementation, a method for analyzing EVs includes binding EVs to an optical waveguide biosensor and phenotyping the bound EVs. Phenotyping can include binding a labeled ligand to the EVs and/or rupturing the EVs and analyzing their cargo. In another implementation, a system for analyzing EVs includes EVs bound to an optical waveguide biosensor and a labeled ligand bound to the EVs. In another implementation, a kit for analyzing EVs includes a micro plate having wells containing optical waveguide biosensors functionalized with a binding agent configured to bind to EVs and at least one of: (a) labeled ligands configured to bind to the extracellular vesicles or (b) a reagent configured to rupture the extracellular vesicles.

Abstract: Multi-layer cell culture devices and systems for culturing suspension and adherent cells via continuous gravity flow of culture media without the use of motorized equipment minimize the risk of contamination of the cell culture. A multi-layer cell culture device includes at least first and second chambers configured to contain fluid and to be fluidly connected such that fluid in the first chamber unidirectionally and continuously flows by gravity flow from the first chamber and into the second chamber. A multi-layer cell culture device can further include a third chamber configured to contain fluid and positioned below the second chamber such that fluid in the second chamber unidirectionally and continuously flows by gravity flow from the second chamber and into the third chamber. Methods of culturing cells using these devices and systems are also described.

Abstract: A pipette structure (160B) includes first and second body sections (164, 166) connected at a junction and including first and second fluid passages, respectively, with the pipette structure including (i) a bellows joint (165) permitting pivotal movement between the first and second body sections (164, 165), and/or (ii) the second fluid passage of the second body section includes greater width dimension at a sample introduction end than a width dimension at the junction. Such a pipette structure may be embodied in a unitary measuring pipette or an extension tip device for a measuring pipette. A method is provided for transferring material between an interior of a cell culture housing that includes a structured surface defining an array of microwells suitable for three-dimensional culture of multi-cell aggregates and an external environment. A method for fabricating a pipette structures is further provided.

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: A structured bag for cell culture is provided herein. The structured bag includes a top portion, a bottom portion having a shape, and a sidewall extending between the top portion and the bottom portion and at least partially defining an interior compartment for receiving fluid. The bottom portion is configured to maintain the shape to support the structured bag such that the structured bag is free standing when placed on a surface.

Abstract: A cell culture apparatus includes a cell culture module including multiple cell culture chambers. A manifold connects the multiple cell culture chambers together along a side of the cell culture module. The manifold includes a side wall base structure connected to the side of the cell culture module and a column structure that is formed as a monolithic part of the side wall base structure. The column structure defines a fluid flow pathway through the manifold and to inlets to the cell culture chambers to allow filling and emptying of the cell culture chambers of liquid medium.