Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a biocompatible, in vitro probe system. The probe system may have a substrate and a culture well supported on the substrate. The culture well defines a three-dimensional volume for containing in vitro cultures of electroactive cells. The probe system has at least one probe subsystem supported on the substrate. The probe subsystem has at least one probe having an array of electrodes, with the probe being disposed within the culture well for in vitro electrically communicating with the electroactive cells. The probe subsystem is adapted to be interfaced to an external instrumentation/recording device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a biocompatible, in vitro probe system. The probe system may have a substrate and a culture well supported on the substrate. The culture well defines a three-dimensional volume for containing in vitro cultures of electroactive cells. The probe system has at least one probe subsystem supported on the substrate. The probe subsystem has at least one probe having an array of electrodes, with the probe being disposed within the culture well for in vitro electrically communicating with the electroactive cells. The probe subsystem is adapted to be interfaced to an external instrumentation/recording device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a funnel apparatus for channeling cells onto a plurality of distinct, closely spaced regions of a seeding surface. The funnel apparatus has a body portion having an upper surface and a lower surface. The body portion forms a plurality of flow paths, at least one of which is shaped to have a decreasing cross-sectional area from the upper surface to the lower surface. The flow paths are formed at the lower surface to enable cells deposited into the flow paths at the upper surface of the funnel apparatus to be channeled into a plurality of distinct, closely spaced regions on the seeding surface positioned adjacent the lower surface.

Abstract: Disclosed here is a cardiac platform, comprising a substrate layer comprising a substrate and a plurality of micro-strain gauges and a plurality of microelectrodes disposed on the substrate, a patterned layer disposed on the substrate layer which insulates the micro-strain gauges and exposes the microelectrodes, and a plurality of pillars disposed on the patterned layer. Also disclosed is a method for detecting electrophysiology and contractility of cardiac cells or tissues, comprising providing a cardiac platform that further comprises cardiac cells or tissues disposed on the pillars, and detecting electrophysiology of the cardiac cells or tissues using the microelectrodes and detecting contraction force of the cardiac cells or tissues using the micro-strain gauges.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a funnel apparatus for channeling cells onto a plurality of distinct, closely spaced regions of a seeding surface. The funnel apparatus has a body portion having an upper surface and a lower surface. The body portion forms a plurality of flow paths, at least one of which is shaped to have a decreasing cross-sectional area from the upper surface to the lower surface. The flow paths are formed at the lower surface to enable cells deposited into the flow paths at the upper surface of the funnel apparatus to be channeled into a plurality of distinct, closely spaced regions on the seeding surface positioned adjacent the lower surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a cell support device comprising a nanofiber structure disposed on a concave surface of a substrate. and the curvature of the substrate in combination with the nanotopography provided by the nanofiber support provides the necessary environmental cues that promote organization, growth, differentiation and morphogenesis of secretory epithelial cells, such as salivary gland epithelial cells. The nanotopography of the device is influenced by features of the nanofiber structure including nanofiber diameter, pore size, biochemical modification and curvature.