Abstract: A cell culturing device and method of using same are provided. Embodiments of the cell culturing device include a plate having at least one well with a through-hole formed at a bottom wall thereof and a hydrogel matrix disposed in the through hole. The cell culturing device can also include an optically transparent plate at the bottom of the through-hole.

Abstract: A mulitwell plate having a plurality of picowells on the bottom of the wells of the plate as well as methods of producing the mulitwell plate are provided. Provided is also a method of handling living cells by providing an ordered array of living cells immobilized in a non-fluid matrix, contacting the living cells with a stimulus; and detecting a response to the stimulus. The present invention is also of a method of producing an ordered array of living cells.

Abstract: A cell study device, comprising, a base layer, a planar conduit defining layer, including a conduit cut out of the layer; and a planar cover layer which defines a capillary flow channel in said conduit layer, said conduit layer and said cover layer acting as side walls for said capillary flow channel, wherein said layers are formed of materials that do not interfere with cell behavior over a period of at least 5 hours when loaded with aqueous solution.

Abstract: A device for performing a cell study. The device comprises a plate having a plurality of wells, each configured for containing aqueous solution and having a well bottom with a plurality of picowells and a plurality of biosensors each configured for measuring at least one cell characteristic while being in contact with the aqueous solution in a respective the well. The position of each the biosensor in a respective the well is limited by at least one pin.

Abstract: A mulitwell plate having a plurality of picowells on the bottom of the wells of the plate as well as methods of producing the mulitwell plate are provided. Provided is also a method of handling living cells by providing an ordered array of living cells immobilized in a non-fluid matrix, contacting the living cells with a stimulus; and detecting a response to the stimulus. The present invention is also of a method of producing an ordered array of living cells.

Abstract: A device for performing a cell study. The device comprises a plate having a plurality of wells, each configured for containing aqueous solution and having a well bottom with a plurality of picowells and a plurality of biosensors each configured for measuring at least one cell characteristic while being in contact with the aqueous solution in a respective the well. The position of each the biosensor in a respective the well is limited by at least one pin.

Abstract: A mulitwell plate having a plurality of picowells on the bottom of the wells of the plate as well as methods of producing the mulitwell plate are provided. Provided is also a method of handling living cells by providing an ordered array of living cells immobilized in a non-fluid matrix, contacting the living cells with a stimulus; and detecting a response to the stimulus. The present invention is also of a method of producing an ordered array of living cells.

Abstract: A device for performing a cell study. The device comprises a plate having a plurality of wells, each configured for containing aqueous solution and having a well bottom with a plurality of picowells and a plurality of biosensors each configured for measuring at least one cell characteristic while being in contact with the aqueous solution in a respective the well. The position of each the biosensor in a respective the well is limited by at least one pin.

Abstract: A method and system for arresting objects in an array of chambers including, applying a solution to at least one chamber in an array of chambers, in a manner that does not connect two chambers, such that at least one object in the solution is arrested in said at least one chamber, the chambers having a volume of 0.5 microliters-3 microliters.

Abstract: Described herein are embossing methods for forming pico liter well arrays (and other structures), arrangements of such pico liter well arrays, for example, in arrays of pico liter well areas, and methods of forming templates for such embossing. Also described as wells with a refractive index similar to that of an aqueous medium used for supporting cells in the wells.

Abstract: A device for studying individual cells including a picowell array (such as an array of microwells, dimples, depressions, tubes or enclosures) and a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the picowells through channels is disclosed. Preferably, the device has a moveable lid that in one rest location allows loading of cells in the picowell array. Preferably the channels of the device are capillary channels. Also disclosed is a device for the automated study of cells including a picowell-bearing device having a picowell array with a moveable lid, a lid-moving component, at least one solution dispensing component and a control system functionally associated with the lid-moving component as well as with the solution dispensing component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of studying floating living cell by confining the cells floating in an aqueous medium in picowells located on a bottom surface of a top wall of a chamber. Disclosed is also a picowell-bearing device for the study of cells comprising a chamber having at least one picowell on a bottom surface of the chamber. Also disclosed is a picowell-bearing device for the study of cells comprising a chamber having at least one picowell on an internal surface and at least one moveable wall, a force applicator configured to removeably apply a substantially uniformly distributed force around the periphery of the moveable wall in a direction to retain the moveable wall secured to the chamber.

Abstract: A device for studying individual cells including a picowell array (such as an array of microwells, dimples, depressions, tubes or enclosures) and a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the picowells through channels is disclosed. Preferably, the device has a moveable lid that in one rest location allows loading of cells in the picowell array. Preferably the channels of the device are capillary channels. Also disclosed is a device for the automated study of cells including a picowell-bearing device having a picowell array with a moveable lid, a lid-moving component, at least one solution dispensing component and a control system functionally associated with the lid-moving component as well as with the solution dispensing component.

Abstract: A device for studying individual cells including a picowell array (such as an array of microwells, dimples, depressions, tubes or enclosures) and a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the picowells through channels is disclosed. Preferably, the device has a moveable lid that in one rest location allows loading of cells in the picowell array. Preferably the channels of the device are capillary channels. Also disclosed is a device for the automated study of cells including a picowell-bearing device having a picowell array with a moveable lid, a lid-moving component, at least one solution dispensing component and a control system functionally associated with the lid-moving component as well as with the solution dispensing component.

Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a holding device for studying cells comprising at least one cavity adapted to receive cells in a medium consisting essentially of water, the cavity having a substrate and a generally inert wall, wherein the substrate includes a surface for receiving the medium, and wherein the surface includes a multiplicity of pico liter wells and is characterized in that the substrate is substantially translucent and has a refractive index equal to the refractive index of the medium. The invention further comprises a method of making the holding device comprising providing a carrier plate, applying an adhesive layer to the carrier plate, depositing a curable substrate on the adhesive layer, applying a second layer of adhesive to the substrate, attaching a wall structure to the second layer of adhesive, forming a multiplicity of pico liter wells in the substrate, curing the substrate, and removing the template.

Abstract: An Interactive Transparent Individual Cells Biochip Processor (ITICBP) device is described, which is useful for assessing a single, individual living cell at identifiable location or assessing group of cells each at identifiable location.

Abstract: Apparatus for increasing a concentration of large particles in a mixture which includes the large particles and smaller particles, including a flow chamber, a filtrate accepting chamber, a filtering component separating the flow chamber from the filtrate accepting chamber, the filtering component including a plurality of pores passing therethrough, characterized by further including means for generating a flow of the fluid in the flow chamber, with a flow component in a direction parallel to a surface of the filtering component sufficient to substantially prevent particles from adhering to the filtering component and clogging the pores.

Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a holding device for studying cells comprising at least one cavity adapted to receive cells in a medium consisting essentially of water, the cavity having a substrate and a generally inert wall, wherein the substrate includes a surface for receiving the medium, and wherein the surface includes a multiplicity of pico liter wells and is characterized in that the substrate is substantially translucent and has a refractive index equal to the refractive index of the medium The invention further comprises a method of making the holding device comprising providing a carrier plate, applying an adhesive layer to the carrier plate, depositing a curable substrate on the adhesive layer, applying a second layer of adhesive to the substrate, attaching a wall structure to the second layer of adhesive, forming a multiplicity of pico liter wells in the substrate, curing the substrate, and removing the template.

Abstract: A cell study device, comprising, a base layer, a planar conduit defining layer, including a conduit cut out of the layer; and a planar cover layer which defines a capillary flow channel in said conduit layer, said conduit layer and said cover layer acting as side walls for said capillary flow channel, wherein said layers are formed of materials that do not interfere with cell behavior over a period of at least 5 hours when loaded with aqueous solution.

Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a holding device for studying cells comprising at least one cavity adapted to receive cells in a medium consisting essentially of water, the cavity having a substrate and a generally inert wall, wherein the substrate includes a surface for receiving the medium, and wherein the surface includes a multiplicity of pico liter wells and is characterized in that the substrate is substantially translucent and has a refractive index equal to the refractive index of the medium. The invention further comprises a method of making the holding device comprising providing a carrier plate, applying an adhesive layer to the carrier plate, depositing a curable substrate on the adhesive layer, applying a second layer of adhesive to the substrate, attaching a wall structure to the second layer of adhesive, forming a multiplicity of pico liter wells in the substrate, curing the substrate, and removing the template.