Abstract: The present application is directed to the processing of a biological sample into its constituent components for use in ART and includes introducing a sample into a first volume disposed adjacent a second volume including buffer solution, wherein the first and second volumes are adapted for fluid communication therebetween, selectively separating the first volume from the second volume with a movable closure member disposed therebetween, wherein the step of selectively separating the first volume from the second volume includes moving the closure member so that a fluid communication aperture is formed by one or a combination of the closure member or the closure member in combination with the first and second volumes to allow fluid communication between the first volume and the second volume such that motile cells migrate from the sample in the first volume to the buffer solution in the second volume.

Abstract: The present application is directed to the processing of a biological sample into its constituent components for use in ART and includes introducing a sample into a first volume disposed adjacent a second volume including buffer solution, wherein the first and second volumes are adapted for fluid communication therebetween, selectively separating the first volume from the second volume with a movable closure member disposed therebetween, wherein the step of selectively separating the first volume from the second volume includes moving the closure member so that a fluid communication aperture is formed by one or a combination of the closure member or the closure member in combination with the first and second volumes to allow fluid communication between the first volume and the second volume such that motile cells migrate from the sample in the first volume to the buffer solution in the second volume.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the handling of biological samples, for example, the holding, manipulating and culturing of biological samples. In one form the invention provides an overlay encapsulant for an in vitro cell culture comprising a synthetic compound and in another aspect the invention provides methods of temporarily encapsulating an in vitro cell culture comprising a synthetic compound. The invention has use in relation to the culturing and more particularly the encapsulation of biological samples, such as for example zygotes, embryos, oocytes, stem cells, sperm located in a culturing space, relevant pluripotent derivative(s) and/or differentiated progeny, intact or dispersed tissue and/or intact organism(s).

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for deriving and culturing embryonic cells and in particular to methods for maintaining the undifferentiated state of stems cells and cell lines in culture. The invention also concerns cells and cell lines derived by the methods of the invention.