Abstract: A culture chamber for use in a method of culturing microbiological material, which comprises a wall or at least a portion of a wall consisting of a gas-permeable membrane, a textured interior growth surface arranged for contact with the microbiological material being cultured and at least a portion of the external surface gas-permeable membrane being textured to enhance gas permeability. Preferably, the gas-permeable membrane is textured over the majority of both of its surfaces. This culture chamber provides enhanced gaseous exchange between the interior and exterior of the culture chamber and increased surface area within the culture chamber for cell attachment.

Abstract: A method of making a silicone rubber having a structure adapted for growth of cells or living tissue, which comprises contacting a silicone rubber precursor with a biologically-acceptable sacrificial filler, curing the resultant mixture and removing the sacrificial filler to form a structured silicone rubber. The sacrificial filler is preferably an inorganic salt that has been ground, and the salt is selected from metal halides, metal carbonates and metal bicarbonates.

Abstract: Resilient openly porous support structures containing silicon are prepared for cell immobilization. A preferred structure is made of porous silicone rubber foam, and cells are adsorbed to the surfaces of pores. The structure may be in the form of a block, sheet, pad, chip, strand, tube or granule. The silicone rubber foam is formed by aerating liquid silicone rubber, and desired porosity and density are provided by controlling aeration of the liquid silicone rubber. The porosity and/or density may also be controlled by incorporating during manufacture of the structure an inert additive such as a metal powder that produces a dense structure. A density may be provided to prevent the structure from floating in a reaction mixture in which the structure is used. Additives may also be used to control surface properties of the structure. The structure is preferably sterilized before use and may be re-used. The structure is re-used without removing cells or is cleaned to remove cells and then re-sterilized.