Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing three-dimensional, preferably porous, hydrogel structures by a layer build-up technique, wherein the method includes the following steps. Providing (S1) of a liquid hydrogel solution, preferably a liquid alginate solution, and a, preferably transportable, sample carrier. Layerwise applying (S2) the liquid hydrogel solution onto the sample carrier in a temperature environment, the temperature of which is below the freezing point of the hydrogel solution, to produce a frozen 3D layered hydrogel structure. In order to increase advantageously the porosity of the 3D layered hydrogel structure, i.e. the proportion of small voids, cavities and/or depressions in the 3D layered hydrogel structure, the method further includes the step of drying (S3) of the frozen 3D layered hydrogel structure, e.g. by freeze-drying, to produce a porous 3D hydrogel structure. The invention further relates to a device for the layerwise building-up of three-dimensional hydrogel structures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing three-dimensional, preferably porous, hydrogel structures by means of layer build-up technique, wherein the method comprises the following steps. Providing (S1) of a liquid hydrogel solution, preferably a liquid alginate solution, and a, preferably transportable, sample carrier. Layerwise applying (S2) the liquid hydrogel solution onto the sample carrier in a temperature environment, the temperature of which is below the freezing point of the hydrogel solution, to produce a frozen 3D layered hydrogel structure. In order to increase advantageously the porosity of the 3D layered hydrogel structure, i.e. the proportion of small voids, cavities and/or depressions in the 3D layered hydrogel structure, the method according to the invention further comprises the step of drying (S3) of the frozen 3D layered hydrogel structure, e.g. by means of freeze-drying, to produce a porous 3D hydrogel structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing vascularized biological tissue, having the steps of producing a network structure made of a plurality of interconnected filaments (11) of a support polymer, coating the network structure with a protein material, populating the coated network structure with endothelial cells (2, 2A) and tissue-forming biological cells (3), and dissolving the filaments (11) such that the vascularized tissue (1) is formed. The vascularized tissue (1) comprises cardiomyocytes, liver cells, renal cells, nerve cells, and/or pancreatic cells, for example.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing carrier particles for the cultivation of biological cells, comprising the steps of providing an aqueous suspension of hydrogel beads and freeze-drying of the hydrogel beads so that dry hydrogel particles are formed, wherein at least one lyoprotectant substance is added to the suspension, the hydrogel beads are loaded in the suspension with the lyoprotectant substance and the dry hydrogel particles receive a shape under the effect of the lyoprotectant substance, which shape approximates a spherical particle shape and is still maintained after rehydrating. The invention also relates to carrier particles for a cultivation of biological cells, which comprise dry hydrogel particles, preferably having a protein coating, and to applications of the carrier particles.

Abstract: A sample holder device 100, 101 which is designed to hold biological samples 1 includes a base body 10 having at least one wall 11 which is arranged to delimit a sample receptacle 12, wherein the at least one wall 11 includes, at least on a surface facing the sample receptacle 12, a planar, carbon-based material which is impermeable to a liquid in sample receptacle 12, wherein the carbon-based material has such a high carbon content that the carbon-based material is opaque and electrically conductive. The sample holder device includes, e.g., a dish, in particular petri dish 101, a planar substrate, a multiwell plate, a sample beaker, in particular in the form of a beaker glass, a sample tube, in particular in the form of a test tube or a tube for cryopreservation (cryovial), and/or a hollow fiber. Methods for using the sample holder device are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bioreactor (100) which is designed for cultivating biological cells (1), comprising a container (10) configured to receive a cultivation medium (2), and a plurality of substrate filaments (20) which are arranged in the container (10) and are configured for a temporary adherent coupling of the biological cells (1) to the substrate filaments (20). The substrate filaments (20) are provided with a surface layer (21) which is switchable between an adherence state, in which the biological cells (1) can be QI coupled adherently to the surface layer (21), and a release state, in which the adherent coupling of the biological cells (1) to the surface layer (21) is reduced in comparison to the binding state. The invention also relates to a method for processing biological cells (1) in the bioreactor (100).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing three-dimensional, preferably porous, hydrogel structures by means of layer build-up technique, wherein the method comprises the following steps. Providing (S1) of a liquid hydrogel solution, preferably a liquid alginate solution, and a, preferably transportable, sample carrier. Layerwise applying (S2) the liquid hydrogel solution onto the sample carrier in a temperature environment, the temperature of which is below the freezing point of the hydrogel solution, to produce a frozen 3D layered hydrogel structure. In order to increase advantageously the porosity of the 3D layered hydrogel structure, i.e. the proportion of small voids, cavities and/or depressions in the 3D layered hydrogel structure, the method according to the invention further comprises the step of drying (S3) of the frozen 3D layered hydrogel structure, e.g. by means of freeze-drying, to produce a porous 3D hydrogel structure.