Abstract: The present invention relates to a scaffold for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence, wherein the scaffold comprises three layers of polyurethane: a first layer and a third layer in which the polyurethane fibres are randomly orientated and a second layer between said first and third layers in which the fibres are aligned longitudinally; methods of making such scaffolds and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the development of continuous processing technology for the purification of biopharmaceuticals and biological products, such as monoclonal antibodies, protein therapeutics, and vaccines. Methods for continuous processing of a biological product in a feed stream toward formulation of a purified bulk product are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to devices, systems, and methods for the production and characterization of engineered tissue constructs. The devices and methods generate decellularized tissue constructs that can be recellularized using donor cells for high-throughput studies of organ physiology, and/or organ pathology. The devices and methods can be used with the systems to mechanically and electrically stimulate the engineered tissue constructs under culture or physiological conditions to detect and assess the presence and degree of any organ pathologies.

Abstract: A method and device to adjust the concentration of at least two gasses in a fluid, wherein the method involves adjusting the concentration of a first gas in the fluid by adjusting the concentration of a second gas in the fluid wherein the first and second gases are kept separate until dissolved in the fluid.

Abstract: A life support system for providing a growth medium for at least one photosynthetic micro-organism and for converting CO2 to O2, with reduced water use that is as low as about 4 percent of the corresponding amount of water normally required for conventional micro-organism growth. The system includes a liquid transport capillary channel, a mixed culture photosynthetic biofilm and a liquid transport substrate that is positioned between and contiguous to the capillary channel and the biofilm, where the liquid transport rate is adjustable by adjustment of the local humidity. Approximately uniform radiation is received by the biofilm and contributes to microorganism growth.

Abstract: The invention resides in an apparatus for treatment of a substance. The apparatus has a substance tube for enabling a substance to be treated to pass in to the substance tube via the substance-inlet and out of the substance tube through the substance-outlet. The apparatus also has a cleaning chamber, wherein the substance tube is configured in fluid communication with the cleaning chamber to enable a substance to diffuse the permeable membrane between the substance tube and the cleaning chamber such that a substance can be substantially cleaned by a cleaner, the substance comprising blood or plasma and the cleaner comprising a cell culture. The substance tube is removably connectable with the cleaning chamber for inter-changeability or serviceability. The apparatus can further comprise a support compartment configured to connect to, or enclosing, the cleaning chamber, which functions to carry a fluid to substantially maintain the functionality of the cleaner.

Abstract: A system and method for culturing cells is provided that includes an extra-capillary space between at least one permeable hollow fiber and an enclosed chamber. Cells are placed in the extra-capillary space to grow. One or more reservoirs containing cell-culture media and/or an oxygen-containing gas are provided in communication with the at least one fiber. The system is configured to generate alternating flows of both the cell-culture media and the gas through a lumen of the hollow fiber(s), thereby passing both nutrients and gas through the walls of the fiber(s) to the cells in the extra-capillary space to provide a suitable environment for growth and/or proliferation of the cells. Flows of liquid and gas through the hollow fiber(s) can be produced by gravity and/or various pumping configurations.

Abstract: The invention is comprised within automated devices for cell culture. The invention relates to a cell culture method and system which allows modifying in a controlled manner the density and the number of cells in a culture. Specifically, the present invention relates to an iterative method the number of iteration steps of which is modified depending on the demand for the density and the number of cells necessary for the culture duration.

Abstract: The present invention describes a laminar flow bioreactor with improved laminar flow lines of fluids. The bioreactor housing defines a chamber adapted to receive a scaffold. An inlet aperture at one end of the chamber is in fluid communication with an outlet aperture at the opposite end of the chamber. A bypass mechanism selectively operable from an open position to a closed position consisting of an iris assembly directs a portion of fluid flowing through the chamber around the scaffold-receiving area. This bioreactor is inserted in a bioreactor system.

Abstract: A cell culture system having a cell culture vessel, a composition controlling fluid storage vessel, a culture fluid composition controlling means having an inlet and an outlet for a cell culture fluid, an inlet-connected fluid feeding circuit from the cell culture vessel to the inlet of the culture fluid composition controlling means, an outlet-connected fluid feeding circuit from the cell culture vessel to the outlet of the culture fluid composition controlling means, a means which perfuses the cell culture fluid from the inlet-connected fluid feeding circuit to the outlet-connected fluid feeding circuit through the culture fluid composition controlling means, and a means which controls the amount of fluid in the cell culture vessel, in which compositions of the cell culture fluid in the cell culture vessel and compositions of the composition controlling fluid in the composition controlling fluid storage vessel can be controlled in a continuous manner.

Abstract: Cell culture apparatus comprising at least two adjacent cell cultivation channels separated by a permeable or semipermeable membrane, wherein at least one channel, for the majority of its length, has a cross sectional area of no more than 1 mm2, said channel being provided with entrance and exit means to permit the passage of media therethrough, allows co-culture of separate cell types, e.g. human and microbial cells, without mingling, allowing monitoring of cell cultures and chemical exchanges between the respective cell cultures.

Abstract: The invention describes an appliance and a method, with the help of which specific bio-particles, but also dissolved bio-molecules can be recognized in and separated from fluids making use of suitable carriers and known immobilization methods. The appliance can be used both discontinuously and also for direct and continuous treatment of fluids. Fields of application of the invention are animals, bio-technology (including biological research) and medicinal diagnostics. Areas of application of the invention comprise, among others, therapy of humans, in particular direct treatment of blood.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cell and tissue culture. In particular, the present invention provides a method for preparing an organotypic culture using dissociated cells or microexplants obtained from an animal organ. The method for preparing an organotypic culture comprises culturing cells from an organ on a surface characterized in that the cells are compacted. The invention further relates to a high-throughput method for the preparation of a collection of organotypic cultures. The invention further relates to a device for carrying out a method of organotypic culture according to the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a device for the biotechnological production of valuable products, in which a medium is fed to a bioreactor and is subjected to a fermentation process, the valuable product is gathered as a filtered permeate and/or concentrated retentate via a cross-flow filtration system that is mounted downstream thereof, and residues are once again fed to the bioreactor until being gathered as a retentate. Other materials can be fed to the bioreactor in a controlled manner in addition to the medium while the concentrated retentate and permeate can be gathered in a controlled manner. The fermentation process and the filtration process are regulated in a synchronized manner in an integrated system via a digital control unit.

Abstract: An example includes an apparatus, method, and system for producing and extracting a gas from a wastewater fluid. The apparatus can include a membrane including at least one hollow fiber, the at least one hollow fiber configured to convey a gas extracted from a wastewater fluid. Bacteria can be immobilized within the membrane, and the bacteria configured to produce the gas during treatment of the wastewater fluid.

Abstract: A bioreactor for the formation of mature blood cells from haematopoietic stem cells is disclosed. The bioreactor comprises a first zone and a second zone. The first zone and the second zone are separated by a first membrane. The first membrane allows the preferential passage of red blood cells relative to the haematopoietic stem cells and their 5 other progeny excluding red blood cells. The first membrane is formed by at least a separating layer and a porous layer, where the porous layer is in contact with the first zone, such that the haematopoietic stem cells can be grown in the porous layer. The bioreactor comprises a third zone. The first zone and the third zone are separated by a second membrane, and the second membrane allows the passage of nutrients from the 10 third zone to the first zone and the passage of metabolites of the cells from the first zone to the third zone, while substantially preventing the passage of growth factors from the first zone to the third zone.

Abstract: A bioreactor hollow fiber perfusion system increases the capacity of standard fed batch bioreactors. The bioreactor hollow fiber perfusion system cycles bioreactor mass through a hollow fiber tangential flow filter which separates the metabolic wastes (as well as proteins) from the biomass material allowing the reactions in the bioreactor to continue when compared to a fed batch bioreactor. The bioreactor hollow fiber perfusion system preferably includes a low shear gamma stable disposable pumphead responsible for biomass re-cycling and can be easy installed or replaced without the risk of contamination.

Abstract: A system and method for culturing cells is provided that includes an extra-capillary space between at least one permeable hollow fiber and an enclosed chamber. Cells are placed in the extra-capillary space to grow. One or more reservoirs containing cell-culture media and/or an oxygen-containing gas are provided in communication with the at least one fiber. The system is configured to generate alternating flows of both the cell-culture media and the gas through a lumen of the hollow fiber(s), thereby passing both nutrients and gas through the walls of the fiber(s) to the cells in the extra-capillary space to provide a suitable environment for growth and/or proliferation of the cells. Flows of liquid and gas through the hollow fiber(s) can be produced by gravity and/or various pumping configurations.

Abstract: A reactor has a reactor unit with a first chamber and a second chamber, with the first chamber being formed by the interior of a housing and the second chamber being formed by the interior of a plurality of hollow fibers arranged in the housing. The hollow fibers are arranged in the housing such that their density in at least one region of the first chamber does not exceed 10 fibers/mm2, based on the cross-sectional area of the first chamber. The reactor unit can include two casting compounds, in which a portion of the hollow fibers are embedded and between which another portion of the hollow fibers extends. The length of at least some or all of the hollow fibers is at least 0.5% greater than the distance of the casting compounds.

Abstract: A stable system for producing liquid products such as ethanol, butanol and other chemicals from syngas components contacts CO or a mixture of CO2 and H2 with a hydrophilic membrane under anaerobic conditions and transfers these components into contact with microorganisms contained as a biofilm on the membrane. Maintaining the microorganisms as a biolayer on the surface of the membrane facilitates cleaning of the membrane surface that retains the biofilm. In addition the shell gas space that surrounds the membranes may be flooded to reduce or remove the biofilm. Agitation of the liquid, by for example the bubbling of gas in the surrounding shell space, can fully or partially remove the biofilm from the membrane.

Abstract: An extra-capillary fluid cycling unit for maintaining and cycling fluid volumes in a cell culture chamber includes a housing and a first flexible reservoir extra-capillary fluid reservoir disposed in the housing. The extra-capillary fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with a cell culture chamber. A second flexible reservoir is also located in the housing, the second flexible reservoir being in fluid communication with a pressure source. A sensor plate is movably disposed in the housing between the extra-capillary reservoir and the second reservoir, wherein the second reservoir is pressurized to move the sensor plate in relation to the extra-capillary reservoir to cause fluid cycling and maintain fluid volumes in the cell growth chamber.

Abstract: A membrane supported bioreactor arrangement and method for anaerobic conversion of gas into liquid products including membrane modules having hollow fibers, each of the hollow fibers formed from an asymmetric membrane wall having a porous outer layer defining biopores for retaining a porous biolayer about the outer surface of the membrane wall and a less permeable hydration layer around the hollow fiber lumen; a membrane vessel for retaining the membrane modules in a process gas for formation of the biolayer on the outer surface of the hollow fiber wall by interaction of microorganisms with a process gas and for the production of a liquid product, wherein the membrane vessel retains the membrane modules in a common horizontal plane; provides a seal between contents of the membrane tank and ambient atmosphere; and includes a liquid supply conduit for communicating the process liquid with the hollow fiber lumens of the hollow fibers.

Abstract: Articles and methods for growing tissues and organs using bioreactors, including rotating bioreactors, are provided. In some embodiments, a bioreactor is configured to provide a first and second chamber, such as an inner and an outer chamber, respectively. The chambers may be co-axially arranged with respect to each other. A wall of the bioreactor defining the two chambers may be formed at least in part from a scaffold derived from a length of a hollow or tubular tissue or organ. Such a bioreactor can be used to form biocompatible structures for tissue engineering and organ replacement, such as cellular tissues, organ-like structures, and/or complete organs, within the bioreactor.

Abstract: A product concentration device that utilizes a reservoir connected to a hollow-fiber filter element where the reservoir can serve as a container for filtrate emanating from another filtering device, such that product in the reservoir can be stored, concentrated and/or further processed as desired. Enclosed reactor systems, each of at least three chambers, fluid flow between the chambers controlled by selectively permeable barriers, flow controlled by an alternating flow diaphragm pump.

Abstract: Assays in which samples of biological fluids are dispensed into the inlet port of a microfluidic device are improved in the accuracy and repeatability by dispensing the biological sample and/or associated liquids in small droplets and at timed intervals to control the operation of the microfluidic device.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing esters. The methods comprise converting a fermentable carbon source to organic acids by fermentation with organic acid producing microorganisms, followed by catalytic esterification. The methods comprise integrated fermentation, extraction, and esterification reactions wherein the organic acids produced during fermentation are extracted into an extraction solvent and then directly reacted with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst to form organic esters. Methods of producing esters are also provided wherein the organic acids produced during fermentation and extracted into the extraction solvent are stripped from the extraction solvent prior to being reacted with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst to form organic esters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the aeration of liquid media by tube aeration, special tube modules contained therein and the use of a device for the aeration of liquid media.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods of using a semipermeable membrane in a dialysis fermenter as a separation layer between a cell-containing liquid culture medium and a non-cell-containing dialysis medium. In some embodiments, the semipermeable membrane may have a molecular cut-off of 15 kDa to 50 kDa. The instant disclosure also provides a dialysis fermenter with compartments for cell-containing culture medium, non-cell-containing nutrient solution as well as an exchange unit having a semipermeable membrane, wherein mass transfer takes place between the culture medium and the dialysis medium by means of diffusion and/or ultrafiltration. Methods for culturing cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: The production of feed for an olefin hydration zone is improved by integrating treatment of an alcohol containing stream from a fermentation zone into an alcohol separation section. The process passes a stream comprising alcohol, water and an organic acid to a separation column. The separation column concetrates the alcohol and organic acids into an upper column fraction. An additive for neutralization the organic acid into contact with said upper column fraction and reacts with the organic acid to produce a neutralization product that passes to a lower portion of the separation column. The column provides an overhead stream for an olefin dehydration zone having an increased concentration of alcohol and a reduced concentration of organic acid. A column bottoms stream containing the neutralization product returns as an input stream to supply the neutralization product to a fermentation zone that produces the alcohol containing stream.

Abstract: Ethanol and other liquid products are produced by contacting syngas components such as CO or a mixture of CO2 and H2 with a surface of a membrane under anaerobic conditions and transferring these components in contact with a biofilm on the opposite side of the membrane. These steps provide a stable system for producing liquid products such as ethanol, butanol and other chemicals. The gas fed on the membrane's gas contact side transports through the membrane to form a biofilm of anaerobic microoganisms that converted the syngas to desired liquid products. A liquid impermeable layer of the membrane assists in establishing direct gas phase contact syngas components with the microorganisms. The system can sustain production with a variety of microorganisms and membrane configurations.

Abstract: A new design for a static diffusion cell for use in a diffusion sampling apparatus to be used in conjunction with automated or manual sampling is disclosed. The diffusion cell of present invention provides to an improved and efficient diffusion assay system.

Abstract: A membrane supported bioreactor arrangement and method for anerobic conversion of gas into liquid products including membrane modules having hollow fibers, each of the hollow fibers formed from an asymmetric membrane wall having a porous outer layer defining biopores for retaining a porous biolayer about the outer surface of the membrane wall and a less permeable hydration layer around the hollow fiber lumen; a membrane vessel for retaining the membrane modules in a process gas for formation of the biolayer on the outer surface of the hollow fiber wall by interaction of microorganisms with a process gas and for the production of a liquid product, wherein the membrane vessel retains the membrane modules in a common horizontal plane; provides a seal between contents of the membrane tank and ambient atmosphere; and includes a liquid supply conduit for communicating the process liquid with the hollow fiber lumens of the hollow fibers.

Abstract: A submerged membrane supported bioreactor for anaerobic conversion of gas into liquid products including a plurality of membrane modules having a plurality of hollow fibers, each of the plurality of hollow fibers having a gas permeable hollow fiber wall defining a hollow fiber lumen and an outer surface; a membrane tank for retaining the membrane modules at least partially submerged in a process liquid for formation of a biofilm on the outer surface of the hollow fiber wall by interaction of microorganisms with a process gas and for the production of a liquid product that mixes with the process liquid, wherein the membrane tank retains the membrane modules in a common horizontal plane; a seal between contents of the membrane tank and ambient atmosphere; and a gas supply conduit for communicating the process gas with the hollow fiber lumens of the hollow fibers.

Abstract: A modular membrane supported bioreactor for anaerobic conversion of gas into liquid products including membrane module(s) having a plurality of hollow fibers packed across a cross sectional area of the membrane module in a direction transverse to the axis of the membrane module; a membrane vessel for retaining the membrane module(s) at least partially submerged in a process liquid and isolated from ambient atmosphere; and a gas supply conduit operably connected to the hollow fibers for supplying a process gas to the hollow fiber lumens. The gas supply conduit enables the formation of a biofilm on the outer surface of the hollow fiber wall by interaction of microorganisms with the process gas and the production of a liquid product that mixes with the process liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to joining two or more cartridges containing cell or tissue cultures from different organs found in the human body in fluid connection. It includes a vitro method and system for testing chemicals and agents as they pass through organs other than the brain or combinations of body systems including the brain. It greatly enhances the ability for researchers to test a proposed chemical or agent on human cells and tissue prior to testing it in vivo. Often, it is found that chemicals or agents have different reactions when tested on a single organ in vitro or in animals, than it does in the human body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for the fermentational production of biologically active materials, wherein a fermenter is located in an insulator which, in turn, is located within a working chamber or is adjacent to it. A pressure gradient in relation to ambient pressure prevails in both the insulator and in the working chamber.

Abstract: A stable system for producing liquid products such as ethanol, butanol and other chemicals from syngas components contacts CO or a mixture of CO2 and H2 with a hydrophilic membrane under anaerobic conditions and transfers these components into contact with microorganisms contained as a biofilm on the membrane. Maintaining the microorganisms as a biolayer on the surface of the membrane facilitates cleaning of the membrane surface that retains the biofilm. In addition the shell gas space that surrounds the membranes may be flooded to reduce or remove the biofilm. Agitation of the liquid, by for example the bubbling of gas in the surrounding shell space, can fully or partially remove the biofilm from the membrane.

Abstract: A device for supplying cell culture modules with nutrients has an arrangement of channels, pumps and valves in or on a plate. The valves may be pinch valves operated by deforming an elastic section of a conduit and the pump may be a pinch valve pump. The channels may be defined, at least in part, by the plate. The pumps, channels and valves may be located within the thickness of the plate. The device may be used to supply nutrients to cell culture modules according to a perfusion operation, a re-circulation operation and/or a combination of both.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for enriching a heterogenous mixture of bone marrow or blood constituents for stem cells by removal of non-stem cell constituents comprising separation of the non-stem cell constituents using a tangential flow filtration device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting one or several analytes in a sample, characterized in that it comprises one or more reaction chambers and/or one or more reagent application channels, and one or more capillary systems and one or more negative vessels. The invention also relates to a method for detecting one or more analytes in a sample fluid by visualization of agglutination, characterized in that a) the sample fluid is brought into contact with a reagent, b) the reaction mixture is exposed to the effects of gravitation or magnetism, wherein the reaction mixture is strained through the capillary system of the inventive device with a negative vessel connected to the inventive device, and c) the reaction between the analyte and the reagent is determined. The invention also relates to one such method wherein the reaction mixture is brought into contact with another reagent during step b).

Abstract: To provide a cell-filled device that is suitable for use in, for example, an implantable or circulation type hybrid artificial organ. In a cell-filled device including hollow fiber membranes whose hollow portions are filled with cells, the hollow fiber membranes have modified cross sections, and a cell aggregate provided in each of the hollow portions has cells formed into two or more layers in arbitrary directions, provided that the distance from an arbitrary point of the cell aggregate to the nearest inner wall of hollow fiber membrane is less than 75 ?m. This cell-filled device enables effective use of cells without the necrosis thereof. Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing the cell-filled device.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method of producing at least one recombinant product under aerated conditions. The method includes providing a porous substrate having a first side and a second side and which has a biofilm of microorganisms attached to the first side thereof, the substrate being configured to allow passage of a nutrient solution therethrough and to prevent the passage of microorganism cells therethrough. The method further includes causing a nutrient solution to flow through the substrate and the biofilm in a direction from the second side thereof to the first side thereof under aerated conditions, at a rate which is sufficiently low for a nutrient gradient having a concentration differential to be established across the biofilm, and the microorganisms being induced to produce recombinant product.

Abstract: A submerged membrane supported bioreactor for anaerobic conversion of gas into liquid products including a plurality of membrane modules having a plurality of hollow fibers, each of the plurality of hollow fibers having a gas permeable hollow fiber wall defining a hollow fiber lumen and an outer surface; a membrane tank for retaining the membrane modules at least partially submerged in a process liquid for formation of a biofilm on the outer surface of the hollow fiber wall by interaction of microorganisms with a process gas and for the production of a liquid product that mixes with the process liquid, wherein the membrane tank retains the membrane modules in a common horizontal plane; a seal between contents of the membrane tank and ambient atmosphere; and a gas supply conduit for communicating the process gas with the hollow fiber lumens of the hollow fibers.

Abstract: A membrane supported bioreactor arrangement and method for anaerobic conversion of gas into liquid products including membrane modules having hollow fibers packed across a cross sectional area of the membrane module, each of the hollow fibers formed from an asymmetric membrane wall having a porous outer layer defining biopores for retaining a porous biolayer about the outer surface of the membrane wall and a less permeable hydration layer around the hollow fiber lumen; a membrane vessel for surrounding the outside of the hollow fibers with a process gas from a gas supply conduit; and a liquid supply conduit operably connected to the hollow fibers for supplying a process liquid to the hollow fiber lumens. The gas supply conduit enables the formation of a biolayer on the outer surface of the hollow fiber wall by interaction of microorganisms with the process gas and the production of a liquid product.

Abstract: A membrane supported bioreactor arrangement and method for anerobic conversion of gas into liquid products including membrane modules having hollow fibers, each of the hollow fibers formed from an asymmetric membrane wall having a porous outer layer defining biopores for retaining a porous biolayer about the outer surface of the membrane wall and a less permeable hydration layer around the hollow fiber lumen; a membrane vessel for retaining the membrane modules in a process gas for formation of the biolayer on the outer surface of the hollow fiber wall by interaction of microorganisms with a process gas and for the production of a liquid product, wherein the membrane vessel retains the membrane modules in a common horizontal plane; provides a seal between contents of the membrane tank and ambient atmosphere; and includes a liquid supply conduit for communicating the process liquid with the hollow fiber lumens of the hollow fibers.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3-D) culture “Petri-dish” for research in regenerative medicine, biotechnology and clinical translation is described. This 3-D perfusion culture dish is to advance in vitro culture tools from static 2-D to dynamic 3-D perfusion culture. Interwoven hollow fiber capillary membranes divide the “Petri-dish” culture space into a controllable 3-D pattern of different compartments, serving the functions of the organ's larger vasculature. These physically active scaffolds, which can be suitable for cell adhesion or cell aggregate immobilization, offer a supply of cells with high-performance mass exchange including gas supply and under perfusion conditions. In contrast to static and discontinuous medium supply, a dynamic culture can be achieved with continuous or alternating medium supply and integral oxygenation. They provide a more physiologic supply in the cell macro environment, including homeostasis of oxygen, pH, nutrition, soluble factors, and gradients of metabolites for the cells.

Abstract: Initiation of growth and cultivation of cells can be performed by introducing the cells into culture compartments of a liquid-gas-phase exposure bioreactor containing a supply chamber in which there are disposed hollow-filament membranes having an inside diameter of no larger than 5 mm, wherein an inner volume of said hollow-filament membranes forms the culture compartments. Approximately one half of the supply chamber is filled with a nutrient medium and a remainder is filled with a gas mixture. Perfusion of medium and gas is turned on simultaneously or separately. The hollow-filament membranes and the cells contained therein are cyclically exposed to the gas or liquid phase.

Abstract: Initiation of growth and cultivation of cells can be performed by introducing the cells into culture compartments of a liquid-gas-phase exposure bioreactor containing a supply chamber in which there are disposed hollow-filament membranes having an inside diameter of no larger than 5 mm, wherein an inner volume of said hollow-filament membranes forms the culture compartments. Approximately one half of the supply chamber is filled with a nutrient medium and a remainder is filled with a gas mixture. Perfusion of medium and gas is turned on simultaneously or separately. The hollow-filament membranes and the cells contained therein are cyclically exposed to the gas or liquid phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cell and tissue culture. In particular, the present invention provides a method for preparing an organotypic culture using dissociated cells or microexplants obtained from an animal organ. The method for preparing an organotypic culture comprises culturing cells from an organ on a surface characterised in that the cells are compacted. The invention further relates to a high-throughput method for the preparation of a collection of organotypic cultures. The invention further relates to a device for carrying out a method of organotypic culture according to the invention.

Abstract: A new design for a static diffusion cell for use in a diffusion sampling apparatus to be used in conjunction with automated or manual sampling is disclosed. The diffusion cell of present invention provides to an improved and efficient diffusion assay system.