Abstract: There are provided a cell culture device and associated method for preparing an in vitro model of a neuromuscular junction (NMJ). The cell culture device can include a cell culture layer that includes a neuronal cells channel for receiving neuronal cells therein, and a neuromuscular junction chamber in fluid communication with the neuronal cells channel to receive muscle cells therein to enable co-culture of the neuronal cells with the muscle cells and form the NMJ. The neuronal cells channel includes a first portion having a first portion cross-section and a second portion having a second portion cross-section that is smaller than the first portion cross-section and provided downstream of the first portion to retain neuronal cells. The neuromuscular junction chamber can optionally include pillars for culturing muscle cells therebetween. The in vitro model can be used for analysing a biological material from a patient or diagnose a condition, for instance.

Abstract: There are provided a cell culture device and associated method for preparing an in vitro model of a neuromuscular junction (NMJ). The cell culture device can include a cell culture layer that includes a neuronal cells channel for receiving neuronal cells therein, and a neuromuscular junction chamber in fluid communication with the neuronal cells channel to receive muscle cells therein to enable co-culture of the neuronal cells with the muscle cells and form the NMJ. The neuronal cells channel includes a first portion having a first portion cross-section and a second portion having a second portion cross-section that is smaller than the first portion cross-section and provided downstream of the first portion to retain neuronal cells. The neuromuscular junction chamber can optionally include pillars for culturing muscle cells therebetween. The in vitro model can be used for analysing a biological material from a patient or diagnose a condition, for instance.

Abstract: There are provided cell culture devices and associated methods for preparing a compartmentalized in vitro model. The cell culture device can include a cell culture layer that includes an inlet reservoir configured for receiving an inlet fluid medium therein, an outlet reservoir configured for receiving an outlet fluid medium therein, and a channel extending between the inlet reservoir and the outlet reservoir to establish fluid communication therebetween. The channel can include a multicellular component receiving portion and an elongated component receiving portion provided downstream of the multicellular component receiving portion, the elongated component receiving portion being sized and configured for orienting an elongated component of a biological material away from the inlet reservoir. The cell culture device can further include an electrode layer provided in proximity of the cell culture layer.

Abstract: There is provided a cell culture device for preparing a compartmentalized in vitro model using neuronal cells. The cell culture device can include an insert insertable in a reservoir of a cell culture plate, a microfluidic layer receivable on or within the insert and an upwardly extending feed well. The microfluidic layer includes channels for orienting axonal growth, and the feed well includes a seeding chamber to receive the neuronal cells therein, the seeding chamber being configured to be in fluid communication with the channels of the microfluidic layer. Alternatively, the cell culture device can include a multi-well insert that includes a plurality of insert wells configured to receive a microfluidic layer therein, the insert wells being in fluid communication with a feed well that is configured to receive the neuronal cells therein. The cell culture device can further include an electrode layer provided in proximity of the microfluidic layer.