Abstract: A cell culture container includes: an insert member having a membrane on which a cell is seeded, the insert member defining a first inner space that functions as an anaerobic chamber; a container having an attachment/detachment portion to and from which the insert member is attachable and detachable, the container defining a second inner space that functions as an aerobic chamber; a sealing member that closes an opening of the aerobic chamber between the attachment/detachment portion and the insert member with the insert member being attached to the attachment/detachment portion; and a transfer mechanism that transfers force to the sealing member. The sealing member closes the opening in response to an input of the force from the transfer mechanism.

Abstract: A cell culture container includes: a container body; a cell culture insert having a tubular portion and an oxygen-permeable membrane; and a lid member. The container body is provided with an opening that communicates with an interior of the container body. The tubular portion includes an upper end and a lower end, and is inserted in the opening such that the lower end is located inside the container body. The lower end side of the tubular portion is closed by the membrane. The upper end side of the tubular portion is closed by the lid member. The lid member includes a lower surface that faces toward an interior of the tubular portion. The lid member is provided with an electrode insertion port and a culture medium outlet port that each communicate with the interior of the tubular portion at the lower surface.

Abstract: A testing method using a micro flow path device configured for a test liquid containing a specimen to be brought into contact with a drug therein and for a test on an action of the drug on the specimen includes: preparing the micro flow path device including: a plurality of micro flow paths, first and second openings which are disposed at both ends of each of the plurality of micro flow paths and communicate with an outside, a storage unit which is provided in each of the plurality of micro flow paths and stores the drug, and a gas-permeable membrane covering the first opening; applying a fluid pressure higher than an external pressure to the test liquid through the second opening from a syringe pump connected to the second opening to pressure-feed the test liquid to the storage unit; and observing a target region set in the micro flow path.

Abstract: Provided is a molecular assembly (for example, a polymeric micelle nanoparticle) which is capable of efficiently encapsulating a fat-soluble drug. A molecular assembly comprising: an amphiphilic block polymer A1 comprising a hydrophilic block having a sarcosine unit and a hydrophobic block having a lactic acid unit; a hydrophobic polymer A2 having a lactic acid unit; a fatty acid triglyceride; and a fat-soluble drug. Examples of the fat-soluble drug include miriplatin.

Abstract: An object is to obtain not only information indicating whether or not a drug is effective against bacteria but also additional information about an effective drug. An examination method includes a sample preparation step of obtaining a plurality of samples by bringing drugs of a plurality of types into contact with bacteria, and an image capturing step of capturing an image of each sample. The examination method includes a step of determining efficacy of the drug based on each sample image obtained in the image capturing step, and a step of obtaining drug susceptibility information by comparing a plurality of sample images including the drug determined as being effective, in accordance with a prescribed criterion.

Abstract: One object is to reduce the time required for focusing. When an image capturing condition is not stored (when image capturing of an observation area is performed for the first time), an examination device performs an autofocus process, obtains a focus position where a microscope camera is in focus on the observation area, and stores the obtained focus position in a storage device. In contrast, when the image capturing condition is stored (when image capturing of the observation area is performed for the second and subsequent times), the examination device captures an image of the observation area by reading out the focus position from the storage device and setting a focal point of the microscope camera at the read-out focus position.

Abstract: The gel composition according to the present invention comprises an amphiphilic block polymer that comprises a hydrophilic block chain having 20 or more sarcosine units and a hydrophobic block chain having 10 or more lactate units. The gel composition of the present invention has an excellent sustained releasability of a water-soluble drug, etc. and places a reduced burden on the living body. The gel composition may be provided in the form of an organogel, hydrogel or xerogel. A xerogel can be obtained by removing a dispersion medium from an organogel. A hydrogel can be obtained by wetting a xerogel with water or an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method for producing molecular assemblies of an amphiphilic block polymer includes applying a polymer solution in a layered shape on a planar base member, the polymer solution including an amphiphilic block polymer and a solvent, the amphiphilic block polymer having a hydrophilic block chain including 20 or more sarcosine units and a hydrophobic block chain including 10 or more lactic acid units, forming a polymer film on the planar base member by removing the solvent from a coated layer of the polymer solution, and obtaining molecular assemblies by bringing the polymer film into contact with a water-based liquid. The planar base member is a flexible long film.

Abstract: Provided is a molecular assembly (for example, a polymeric micelle nanoparticle) which is capable of efficiently encapsulating a fat-soluble drug. A molecular assembly comprising: an amphiphilic block polymer A1 comprising a hydrophilic block having a sarcosine unit and a hydrophobic block having a lactic acid unit; a hydrophobic polymer A2 having a lactic acid unit; a fatty acid triglyceride; and a fat-soluble drug. Examples of the fat-soluble drug include miriplatin.

Abstract: Provided is a molecular assembly having any nano-sized particle diameter depending on its intended use and application, in various fields such as pharmaceutical drugs, agricultural, chemicals, cosmetics, food products, and electronics. Furthermore, provided is a nano-carrier for delivering various substances using the molecular assembly having any nano-sized particle diameter. A molecular assembly comprising: an amphiphilic block polymer A1 comprising a hydrophilic block having a sarcosine unit and a hydrophobic block having a lactic acid unit; and an amorphous hydrophobic polymer A2 having an aliphatic hydroxy acid unit, wherein a number of aliphatic hydroxy acid units contained in the amorphous hydrophobic polymer A2 exceeds twice a number of lactic acid units contained in the hydrophobic block of the amphiphilic block polymer A1.

Abstract: Provided is a skin external preparation including a drug and nanometer-size molecular assemblies. The molecular assemblies contain an amphiphilic block copolymer having a hydrophilic block chain including a sarcosine-derived structural unit and a hydrophobic block chain including a hydroxy acid-derived structural unit. The skin external preparation according to the present invention may reduce skin irritation caused by the drug, be very safe, and have excellent pharmacological effects, even when a drug that is generally difficult to be transdermally administered due to its strong skin irritation is contained therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a molecular assembly which is less likely to accumulate in tissue other than cancer tissue, is highly safe for a living body, and can be prepared by a simple and safe method and whose particle size can be easily controlled. The present invention provides a molecular imaging system and a molecular probe useful for the system, and a drug delivery system and a molecular probe useful for the system. The present invention provides a method for preparing molecular assembly, by which the particle size of molecular assembly having a signal group or a drug can be arbitrarily controlled in order to allow the molecular assembly to effectively accumulate in cancer tissue by utilizing EPR effect.

Abstract: The gel composition according to the present invention comprises an amphiphilic block polymer that comprises a hydrophilic block chain having 20 or more sarcosine units and a hydrophobic block chain having 10 or more lactate units. The gel composition of the present invention has an excellent sustained releasability of a water-soluble drug, etc. and places a reduced burden on the living body. The gel composition may be provided in the form of an organogel, hydrogel or xerogel. A xerogel can be obtained by removing a dispersion medium from an organogel. A hydrogel can be obtained by wetting a xerogel with water or an aqueous solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus both for producing molecular assemblies of an amphiphilic block polymer. The method of the present invention includes: applying a polymer solution (45) containing an amphiphilic block polymer and a solvent in a layered shape on a planar base member (11) in a film forming part (40); forming a polymer film on the base member (13) by removing the solvent from the coated layer of the solution in a drying part (30); and producing molecular assemblies by bringing the polymer film into contact with a water-based liquid (55) in a molecular assembly forming part (50). The amphiphilic block polymer has a hydrophilic block chain and a hydrophobic block chain. The hydrophilic block chain preferably has 20 or more sarcosine units, and the hydrophobic block chain preferably has 10 or more lactic acid units.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a novel fluorescent nanoparticle imaging probe having a switching function (a function to quench a fluorescent dye in a blood component and emit fluorescence in a tumor or an inflamed site to be imaged).

Abstract: Provided is a polymeric micelle pharmaceutical preparation that can increase the ratio of contrast at tumor site to background contrast in a short period of time after administration of a lactosome and can suppress the ABC phenomenon so that the lactosome can be administered more than once within a short span. A branched-type amphiphilic block polymer comprising: a multi-branched hydrophilic block comprising sarcosine; and a hydrophobic block comprising polylactic acid. The branched-type amphiphilic block polymer, wherein the number of branches of the hydrophilic block is 3. A molecular assembly comprising the branched-type amphiphilic block polymer. The molecular assembly further comprising a linear type amphiphilic block polymer.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a nanoparticle having a uniform particle diameter.

Abstract: Provided is a skin external preparation including a drug and nanometer-size molecular assemblies. The molecular assemblies contain an amphiphilic block copolymer having a hydrophilic block chain including a sarcosine-derived structural unit and a hydrophobic block chain including a hydroxy acid-derived structural unit. The skin external preparation according to the present invention may reduce skin irritation caused by the drug, be very safe, and have excellent pharmacological effects, even when a drug that is generally difficult to be transdermally administered due to its strong skin irritation is contained therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a molecular assembly whose retention time in a target site is adjusted depending on the kind or purpose of a labeling agent or drug encapsulated therein, and a molecular assembly that can suppress the ABC phenomenon and that can be administered more than once within a short span.

Abstract: Provided is a polymeric micelle pharmaceutical preparation that can increase the ratio of contrast at tumor site to background contrast in a short period of time after administration of a lactosome and can suppress the ABC phenomenon so that the lactosome can be administered more than once within a short span. A branched-type amphiphilic block polymer comprising: a multi-branched hydrophilic block comprising sarcosine; and a hydrophobic block comprising polylactic acid. The branched-type amphiphilic block polymer, wherein the number of branches of the hydrophilic block is 3. A molecular assembly comprising the branched-type amphiphilic block polymer. The molecular assembly further comprising a linear type amphiphilic block polymer.