Abstract: A method for three-dimensional reproduction of a biological tissue in the framework of tissue engineering. A substrate is provided and primary cells of a first cell type are deposited on the substrate. A first precursor of a substance adhering the cells is arranged on at least a selection of the primary cells of the first cell type. A second precursor of the substance adhering the cells is arranged in a locally targeted manner on the selection of primary cells of the first cell type according to a structure formed by cells of the first cell type in the tissue to be reproduced. The first precursor and the second precursor react with each other to form the substance adhering the cells, which substance adheres the selection of the primary cells of the first cell type according to the structure formed by the cells of the first cell type in the tissue to be reproduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microbioreactor assembly (01) having a plurality of microbioreactors. The microbioreactor assembly comprises a microtiter plate (02) having numerous wells (09) in a predefined grid arrangement, a closed bottom surface (14) and an open upper face. An insert unit (03) is also provided, which is arranged on the upper face of the microtiter plate (02) and has numerous inserts (11) in the same grid arrangement, each insert (11) engaging in a well (09), and the well (09) being divided into at least two regions (12, 17). Finally, the microbioreactor assembly comprises an activation unit (04), which is placed on the insert unit (03) and has numerous pumps (26), each of which is connected to supply channels (19), which allow the transport of fluid between the two regions (12, 17).

Abstract: The invention relates to a cell culture carrier for cultivating biological cell material (07). The cell culture carrier comprises: a carrier plate (01); a membrane (02), which is supported by the carrier plate (01) and provides a colonization surface (06) for the cell material (07), the colonization surface (06) being permeable for a main flow (10) of a nutrient solution; and a holding cage (03), which is covered by the membrane (02) at an end and into which the cell material (07) can be introduced and through which the main flow (10) can flow. The carrier plate (01) provides a plurality of flow openings (08), which are positioned outside of the holding cage (03) in peripheral distribution and which allow a secondary flow (11) of the nutrient solution, the flow velocity of which secondary flow is greater than the flow velocity of the main flow (10) of the nutrient solution that flows through the holding cage (03) and the colonization surface (06).

Abstract: The present invention relates firstly to a method for reproducing a stem cell niche of an organism. The invention further relates to a reproduction of a stem cell niche of an organism. According to the invention, an image of a tissue of an organism is generated, which tissue comprises at least one stem cell niche. The image is filtered in order to obtain a structural pattern of the imaged stem cell niche. In a further step, a lithographic mask is generated from the structural pattern. According to the invention, a starting material of a substrate is structured by means of indirect or direct application of the lithographic mask, whereby a structured substrate is obtained which represents the reproduction of the imaged stem cell niche of the organism. The reproduction can be characterised as biolithomorphic.

Abstract: The present invention relates firstly to a method for reproducing a stem cell niche of an organism. The invention further relates to a reproduction of a stem cell niche of an organism. According to the invention, an image of a tissue of an organism is generated, which tissue comprises at least one stem cell niche. The image is filtered in order to obtain a structural pattern of the imaged stem cell niche. In a further step, a lithographic mask is generated from the structural pattern. According to the invention, a starting material of a substrate is structured by means of indirect or direct application of the lithographic mask, whereby a structured substrate is obtained which represents the reproduction of the imaged stem cell niche of the organism. The reproduction can be characterised as biolithomorphic.

Abstract: A method for replicating a structure of a biological tissue provides a plastically deformable film that is subjected to a pressure in order to press it into a mold. The mold comprises formations for pit-like depressions, recesses and notches. The recesses each border on at least one of the pit-like depressions and are opened up. The notches form at least one film hinge in the film. The shaped film is folded into a stack having at least two layers of film, the film hinge forming the folding edge for the folding process. The pit-like depressions are closed along their direction of extension by a neighboring layer of the stack and form each time a capillary. At least two of the opened recesses are arranged one on top of another and form a canal arranged perpendicular to the plane of extension of the film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a structure modeled on a biological tissue. The invention also relates to a structure which can be produced using the method according to the invention. According to an embodiment of the invention, a precursor of a biopolymer is locally irradiated with electromagnetic radiation in a targeted manner, wherein the irradiation, in particular the selection of the areas to be irradiated, is effected according to data which describe a structural construction at least components of the extracellular matrix of the biological tissue. In this case, the electromagnetic radiation is such that two-photon or multi-photon absorption takes place in the irradiated areas of the precursor and results in the precursor being polymerized to form the biopolymer in the irradiated areas, with the result being that the precursor is at least partially solidified there.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a microstructured molded object that is intended for culturing of biological cells. According to this method, a plastically deformable first porous film is prepared, as well as a deformable second film and a deformable sacrificial film. The first, second and sacrificial film are placed in a stack. Next, the sacrificial film is subjected to pressure to press the stack into a mold. The mold has recesses, such that deformed regions in the form of cavities are produced in the sacrificial film, the first film and the second film, and undeformed regions remain. During the pressing of the film stack into the mold, the first film and the second film are joined to each other, so that they form a composite film. At least portions of the deformed regions of the second film are etched so that sections of the second film are chemically dissolved.

Abstract: A microstructured composite component is provided including structures for carrying out fluid processes. A device is provided for producing microstructured composite components. A method provided includes a first step during which a first film is arranged above a second film between first and second mold parts. The first and/or second mold parts have microstructured cavities to be filled. In a second step, the first and second mold parts are heated in at least one region in which they contact one of the films. An excess pressure is then produced between the first film and the second film to force the first and/or second films into the cavities. In a further step, the first and second mold parts are pressed together by a pressing force. Once the first mold part, the second mold part, the first film and the second film are cooled, they form a microstrutured composite component.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a microstructured molded object that is intended for culturing of biological cells. According to this method, a plastically deformable first porous film is prepared, as well as a deformable second film and a deformable sacrificial film. The first, second and sacrificial film are placed in a stack. Next, the sacrificial film is subjected to pressure to press the stack into a mold. The mold has recesses, such that deformed regions in the form of cavities are produced in the sacrificial film, the first film and the second film, and undeformed regions remain. During the pressing of the film stack into the mold, the first film and the second film are joined to each other, so that they form a composite film. At least portions of the deformed regions of the second film are etched so that sections of the second film are chemically dissolved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a structure modeled on a biological tissue. The invention also relates to a structure which can be produced using the method according to the invention. According to an embodiment of the invention, a precursor of a biopolymer is locally irradiated with electromagnetic radiation in a targeted manner, wherein the irradiation, in particular the selection of the areas to be irradiated, is effected according to data which describe a structural construction at least components of the extracellular matrix of the biological tissue. In this case, the electromagnetic radiation is such that two-photon or multi-photon absorption takes place in the irradiated areas of the precursor and results in the precursor being polymerized to form the biopolymer in the irradiated areas, with the result being that the precursor is at least partially solidified there.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid three-dimensional sensor array, in particular for measuring biological cell assemblies. The sensor array has a plurality of microstructured sensor plates, each having one carrier section on which a plurality of sensor needles are arranged in a comb-like manner, which carry a plurality of electrode surfaces. Furthermore, a plurality of spacer elements are provided, which are fastened between the sensor plates so that both the carrier sections and the sensor needles of adjacent sensor plates are at a distance from each other. The invention further relates to a measuring assembly for measuring electrical activities of biological cell assemblies using such a sensor array.

Abstract: A microstructured composite component is provided including structures for carrying out fluid processes. A device is provided for producing microstructured composite components. A method provided includes a first step during which a first film is arranged above a second film between first and second mold parts. The first and/or second mold parts have microstructured cavities to be filled. In a second step, the first and second mold parts are heated in at least one region in which they contact one of the films. An excess pressure is then produced between the first film and the second film to force the first and/or second films into the cavities. In a further step, the first and second mold parts are pressed together by a pressing force. Once the first mold part, the second mold part, the first film and the second film are cooled, they form a microstrutured composite component.