Abstract: The present disclosure provides cell culture chambers for use in automated cell engineering systems, and in particular, cell culture chambers that include improved cell-contacting surfaces. Improved cell-contacting surfaces can include a surface coating that promotes cell growth, adherence, differentiation, maintenance of phenotype, and/or improves transduction; a cell-contacting surface comprising a non-porous, gas-permeable material; as well as other modifications to the cell-contacting surfaces. Cassettes comprising the cell culture chambers are also provided.

Abstract: A culture container made of a flexible packaging material where the culture container includes a first side surface portion and a second side surface portion that are mutually opposed. The culture container also includes at least an inner surface side of the first side surface portion which has a surface treatment such that, when a contact angle hysteresis is defined as an advance contact angle—a retreat contact angle at a time when water slips, a contact angle hysteresis of a surface on the inner surface side of the first side surface portion becomes larger than a contact angle hysteresis of a surface on an inner surface side of the second side surface portion. The culture container further includes a membrane made of a cell adhesion inhibitor that is formed on the inner surface side of the first side surface portion.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for applying mechanical strain to a specimen of tissues and/or cells, for measuring the deformation of the specimen caused by the mechanical strain and for recording the deformation history for the specimen. The system comprises a specimen holder configured to hold a specimen and a strain-inducing apparatus coupled to the specimen holder and configured to apply a straining displacement of a preselected magnitude in at least a first preselected direction to the specimen to strain the specimen in a preselected manner. A measurement tool of the system measures the deformation of the specimen caused by the mechanical strain and a recording tool of the system records the deformation history for the specimen in memory.

Abstract: A system and method for the real time determination of microbial growth in or on perishable products. The system can predict the extent of microbial growth, e.g., whether food is spoiled, in real time by measuring chemicals released, e.g., CO2, from the perishable product during microbial growth. The output from a sensor can be correlated to the extent of microbial growth, i.e., spoilage, and provide information about the extent of microbial growth to the user, for example, through their smart devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microbioreactor assembly (01) having a plurality of microbioreactors. The microbioreactor assembly comprises a microtiter plate (02) having numerous wells (09) in a predefined grid arrangement, a closed bottom surface (14) and an open upper face. An insert unit (03) is also provided, which is arranged on the upper face of the microtiter plate (02) and has numerous inserts (11) in the same grid arrangement, each insert (11) engaging in a well (09), and the well (09) being divided into at least two regions (12, 17). Finally, the microbioreactor assembly comprises an activation unit (04), which is placed on the insert unit (03) and has numerous pumps (26), each of which is connected to supply channels (19), which allow the transport of fluid between the two regions (12, 17).

Abstract: Disclosed is a well insert for cell culture and a method of manufacturing same, where the well insert has a membrane support made of a polyolefin material and having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end being adapted to engage a well of a microplate so as to suspend the well insert therein, and a permeable membrane sealed to the membrane for supporting a tissue culture, the permeable membrane being of brittle material and transparent in both air and water.

Abstract: A cell culture device includes a holding member including a main body cylindrical portion extending in a cylindrical shape in an axial direction and a holding portion provided at an axially intermediate portion of the main body cylindrical portion and holding a culture membrane; and a first cylindrical member detachably mounted on one axial side with respect to the holding member, extending in a cylindrical shape in the axial direction, and protruding from one axial end of the holding member toward the one axial side when being mounted to the holding member. Also included is a second cylindrical member detachably mounted on another axial side with respect to the holding member, extending in a cylindrical shape in the axial direction, and protruding from another axial end of the holding member toward the other axial side when being mounted to the holding member.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a filtration system for a cell culture apparatus and a method of cell culture. The filtration system comprises a bioreactor vessel and two or more alternating tangential flow (ATF) filters connected in parallel. A failure in either filter is detected by an in-line sensor, and an automated response system functions to sequester the malfunctioning filter by stopping the flow of liquid media through the filter. Media flow through the remaining operable filters can be increased so that the rate of perfusion through the bioreactor remains relatively unchanged. Such a system may prevent issues that arise from ATF filter failures in conventional perfusion bioreactors, thereby improving the long-term viability of cell cultures.

Abstract: A device for treating fluids, particularly body fluids, comprises a receiving container for receiving the fluid from a body, a filter device which comprises a filter element for filtering out pathogenic particles from the fluid, and a cultivation device configured to incubate the filtered pathogenic particles on a nutrient medium, the filter device being coupled to the cultivation device such that the pathogenic particles can be transferred from the filter element into the cultivation device without contamination. A corresponding method is also provided.

Abstract: Specialized culture plates for imaging cells in a quick, high throughput manner are provided. Ideally the wells of the culture plate have triangular, square, or V-shaped wells or cell sorting walls having a plurality of vertices, and more complicated variations thereof are also possible. The plates are tilted or rotated to collect the cells at the vertex or vertices of the wells, optionally vibrated to speed the collection, then the vibration and tilt or rotation removed for some period of time, whereon the cells are imaged through the flat transparent bottom of the plate.

Abstract: A cell culture container is provided, comprising membrane bound compartments for growing and harvesting monocytes that allows replenishing and removal of feed media without the loss or death of cells.

Abstract: A fully implantable sensor for detecting an analyte in a body fluid sample is disclosed. The sensor includes a chamber plate that receives the body fluid sample. The chamber plate has a biocompatible polymer membrane having a molecular weight cutoff of at least 15 kDa. The sensor also includes a quantum cascade laser illumination source that generates an illumination light beam in a spectral range and transmits the light beam to the chamber plate. In response to the illumination light beam at least partially illuminating the chamber plate, the chamber plate generates a reflection light beam that at least partially illuminates the body fluid sample within the chamber plate. The sensor has an optical detector that detects at least one property of the reflection light beam and generates a sensor signal that correlates to the presence of the analyte. The sensor includes a controller to evaluate the sensor signal.

Abstract: An improved method of culturing cells for cell therapy applications that includes growing desired cells in the presence of antigen-presenting cells and/or feeder cells and with medium volume to surface area ratio of up to 1 ml/cm2 if the growth surface is not comprised of gas permeable material and up to 2 ml/cm2 if the growth surface is comprised of gas permeable material. The desired cells are at a surface density of less than 0.5×106 cells/cm2 at the onset of a production cycle, and the surface density of the desired cells plus the surface density of the antigen presenting cells and/or feeder cells are at least about 1.25×105 cells/cm2.

Abstract: A detection chip is disclosed. The detection chip includes a sample injection structure, a filter structure, and a reaction structure which are sequentially connected. The filter structure includes a first main body, and a first inlet portion and a first outlet portion respectively on two sides of the first main body. A width of the first inlet portion gradually decreases in a direction away from the first main body, and a width of the first outlet portion gradually decreases in a direction away from the first main body.

Abstract: The extraction cell according to the invention for extracting a sample is substantially characterized by the following features: a tubular extraction body having a first end and an opposite second end which has an interior space for receiving the sample, a first closure arrangement for sealingly closing the first end of the tubular extraction body, a second closure arrangement for sealingly closing the second end of the tubular extraction body, wherein the first closure arrangement has a first fluid port for supplying or discharging a fluid and the second closure arrangement has a second fluid port for supplying or discharging a fluid. Furthermore, between the extraction body and the first closure arrangement and between the extraction body and the second closure arrangement, at least one adhesive arrangement is provided for holding the first and the second closure arrangements on the extraction body.

Abstract: A cell culture cartridge is provided comprising a plurality of zones geometrically configured to provide for symmetrical fluid flow with each of the plurality of zones to avoid dead areas in flow within each of the plurality of zones. In certain embodiments, at least eight inlets are provided, with an inlet positioned at each corner of the cell culture cartridge. In certain embodiments, a shared outlet is positioned on a top surface of the cell culture cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic device for simulating the structure and function of an in vivo tissue barrier. Specifically, the present invention relates to a microfluidic device that can be used as a model for new drug development and toxicity assessment and the like by simulating the structure and function of a two-dimensional-three-dimensional connective tissue barrier or a three-dimensional tissue barrier and thus replacing animal models, a method of culturing cells in the microfluidic device, and a method of simulating an organ or a body part using the microfluidic device.

Abstract: A cell culture apparatus includes a cell culture module including multiple cell culture chambers. A manifold connects the multiple cell culture chambers together along a side of the cell culture module. The manifold includes a side wall base structure connected to the side of the cell culture module and a column structure that is formed as a monolithic part of the side wall base structure. The column structure defines a fluid flow pathway through the manifold and to inlets to the cell culture chambers to allow filling and emptying of the cell culture chambers of liquid medium.

Abstract: Disclosed devices for recovering cryopreserved tissue can comprise a receptacle that receives a sealed, frozen tissue container containing cryopreserved tissue and cryopreservation media, with at least one recovery media chamber and a waste material chamber fluidly coupled to the tissue container receptacle. The recovery device can be inserted into a regulator apparatus that facilitates thawing and warming of the media and tissue, and regulation of the flow of recovery media through the tissue container to flush out the thawed cryopreservation media into the waste chamber. The regulator can identify the tissue based on an ID tag on the tissue container and automatically apply an appropriate algorithm for thawing, culturing, and maintaining the tissue in a viable state.

Abstract: An improved method of culturing cells for cell therapy applications that includes growing desired cells in the presence of antigen-presenting cells and/or feeder cells and with medium volume to surface area ratio of up to 1 ml/cm2 if the growth surface is not comprised of gas permeable material and up to 2 ml/cm2 if the growth surface is comprised of gas permeable material. The desired cells are at a surface density of less than 0.5×106 cells/cm2 at the onset of a production cycle, and the surface density of the desired cells plus the surface density of the antigen presenting cells and/or feeder cells are at least about 1.25×105 cells/cm2.

Abstract: Described herein are apparata and methods for growing cells in a manner that mimics the native three-dimensional environment. Cell cultures grown in the apparatus can be screened for inhibition by specific chemotherapeutics or other drugs.

Abstract: A system and method for lysing of whole blood for CO-Ox measurement uses a lysing chamber for acoustic lysing of whole blood in a module in which the lysing chamber is separate from a CO-Ox measurement chamber. The disclosed acoustic lysing system and method avoids the expense and complexity of chemical lysing methods and allows the whole blood sample to be lysed while under continuous flow through the lysing chamber. The acoustic lysing chamber is provided upstream from a CO-Ox measurement chamber. The separation of the lysing chamber from the Co-Ox measurement chamber provides freedom to arrange and orient various optical components and/or other CO-Ox measuring components around the CO-Ox measurement chamber. The decoupling of the lysing chamber from the CO-Ox measurement chamber allows for more efficient design of the ultrasonic lysing transducer and CO-Ox measurement optics.

Abstract: A culturing device includes a microplate including a plurality of vessels, each of the vessels having a bottom surface having light transmittance and an opening at an upper portion, a lid having light transmittance, and an intermediate plate having light transmittance sandwiched between the lid and the microplate. The intermediate plate has a plurality of convex portions on a surface thereof facing the microplate and provided with a plurality of through holes corresponding to the convex portions that are disposed so that when the intermediate plate and the microplate are overlapped, each of the plurality of convex portions is inserted into each of the plurality of vessels and each of the plurality of through holes coincides with the opening of each of the plurality of vessels. The lid comes into contact with the intermediate plate so as to close the plurality of through holes provided in the intermediate plate.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a cornea includes affixing a frame to at least one cell culture insert comprising a generally cylindrical structure having a proximal end and a distal end, a base disposed at the proximal end, and a porous membrane disposed between the proximal end and the distal end; affixing a dome-shaped member to the porous membrane within the frame, the dome-shaped member comprising a crown, a dome base, and a surface connecting the crown and the dome base; depositing a material comprising a matrix-forming compound on the frame such that the crown and at least a portion of the surface of the dome-shaped member is coated with the material comprising the matrix-forming compound; and removing the dome-shaped member to produce a fabricated cornea attached to the frame. A system for fabricating a cornea and a cornea scaffold are also described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vacuum filter that incorporates a large area pleated filter element having pleated hydrophilic membrane configured along slanting surface in pyramid shape and incorporated with in a filter housing that can be accommodated in neck of a filtrate container. The disclosed configuration reduces overall height of the filtering system improving its stability and reducing space requirement. Further, top portion of the filter housing is configured to receive either a feed cup for direct feeding of feed liquid by pouring in the cup or a fitting with tube that can be used to suck the feed from a feed solution container under action of a vacuum thus allowing universal use. In another embodiment, a single hydrophobic membrane is provided to avoid problems of low flow due to bubbles coming with the feed solution and also to allow restart of filtration without air lock.

Abstract: A device for simulating a function of a tissue includes a first structure, a second structure, and a membrane. The first structure defines a first chamber. The first chamber includes a matrix disposed therein and an opened region. The second structure defines a second chamber. The membrane is located at an interface region between the first chamber and the second chamber. The membrane includes a first side facing toward the first chamber and a second side facing toward the second chamber. The membrane separates the first chamber from the second chamber.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided that allow for the casting of flat, controlled thickness layers of gel or polymer on a test surface, such as within the wells of a microplate. A spacer device is interposed between the test surface and the planar lower face of a movable pillar, defining a highly uniform volume. Addition of a gel or polymer precursor in solution followed by curing generates a highly uniform gel or polymer layer with a planar upper surface within this volume, which is exposed on removal of the pillar. In some embodiments a group of pillars is provided in a manifold that provides spacing and arrangement corresponding to a group of test wells. The pillars are mounted in the manifold so as to provide translation movement normal to the test surface, allowing them to rest against the spacer device and facilitating gentle removal from the wells. A variety of spacer devices are considered, including beads, flattened rings, and toroidal spacers.

Abstract: The present invention provides cell-free systems comprising: (i) a transcription compartment; (ii) a barrier; and (iii) a translation compartment, methods for producing proteins and performing post-translational modifications thereon using such systems, and kits comprising such systems.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided that facilitate synthesis and analysis of chemical compounds on a convenient and automatable palette-based platform. Palettes utilized for analysis support a variety of functional sites, including test wells, separation devices, and test sites that have rapid thermal equilibration, on a single test fixture. This permits both the performance of a wide variety of tests and of tests with different temperature requirements or responses in parallel, on the same test fixture. Such systems, devices, and methods are particularly suitable for production and characterization of radiopharmaceuticals.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for screening bacteria on their susceptibility against candidate compounds. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for screening the antibiotic efficacy of candidate compounds suppose to have an antibiotic activity on bacteria. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for forming a bacterial biofilm on a support, a system allowing in vitro and in vivo evaluation of biofilms formed by bacteria as well as methods for the stratification of the treatment regimen against bacterial infections.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a centrifuge chamber comprising a cylinder having a base plate and a cover plate, a rotational axis with at least one port for input and/or output of liquids, at least one port for input of gases and at least one layer for cell culturing, wherein the layer for cell culturing comprises a gas-permeable membrane on which cells can be cultured and wherein the at least one port for input and/or output of gases is connected to the gas-permeable membrane.

Abstract: A cryogenic tissue sample embedding storage system belongs to the field of cryopreservation of biological tissue samples, which in particular, relates to a cryogenic tissue sample embedding storage system. The present invention provides a cryogenic tissue sample embedding storage system that can avoid the confusion of samples, prevent damage to identifier information in the cutting process, and has high embedding efficiency. The present invention comprises an embedded label, a label cover, and an embedding base, and in terms of its structure, the embedding base is provided with a groove structure for placing and limiting the position of the embedded label, and an embedding enclosure wall flexibly connected to the embedding base is disposed above the groove structure.

Abstract: Provided is a means suitable for mass culture of adherent cells and which allows easy and safe collection of the cultured adherent cells. A cell culture kit has a culture bag having flexibility, such a level of hydrophilicity that the culture of adherent cells can be achieved, and permeability into a bag shape and which is filled with a culture medium; a dissociation solution bag filled with a dissociation solution containing a metal chelating agent or ornithine or a derivative thereof, and a solution sending circuit or a derivative thereof, and a solution sending circuit which connects the culture bag and the dissociation solution bag to each other and can send the dissociation solution from the dissociation solution bag to the culture bag.

Abstract: A device for isolating and cultivating live cells on a filter or for extracting the genetic material thereof includes: a filter holder (108) connected to a filter; a compartment (102) having an upper opening and a lower opening; and an element (110) that is mobile relative to the compartment for applying a force on the holder and releasing the holder. According to the embodiments, the filter holder is mechanically connected to the compartment or to the mobile element until the application of the force. Preferably, the device further includes a removable end piece (104) tightly and removably attached and adapted for preventing the relative movement of the mobile element and the compartment for applying the force and releasing the holder.

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: An insert device and co-culture device assembly incorporating the insert device, which includes an insert chamber with two fluid impermeable side walls that extend from a microporous bottom to an open top to form an inner cavity. The first side wall is shaped to form a convex arc that follows between about half of a circumference of the well and less than an entire circumference of the well. The second side wall joins ends of the first side wall and protrudes inward towards a center of the convex arc. A flange extends outward from or beneath the top and is notched to form a gap adjacent to the second side wall, which forms an access port allowing access to the lower chamber with a micropipette tip when the insert device is inserted into a well of a single or multi-well plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for measuring the optical density of a fluid by measuring the light transmission through a reconfigurable optical path. The optical path is reconfigured by the deflection of an elastic membrane wherein the optical path length through the fluid is determined by the position of the membrane relative to a fixed surface. The optical density can be determined from two measurements with different optical path lengths through the fluid.

Abstract: Provided is a cell culture apparatus for culturing cells, that provides enhanced oxygen delivery and supply to cells without the need for stirring or sparging. Oxygen diffusion occurs on both sides of the culture vessel, top and bottom. A gas-permeable membrane that includes perfluorocarbons or fluorocarbon derivatives (e.g., fluorinated silane, partially fluorinated silane) in its composition allows for the rapid, enhanced and uniform transfer of oxygen between the environment of cells or tissues contained in the cell culture container apparatus and the atmosphere of the incubator in which the cell culture apparatus is incubated.

Abstract: An insert for cell cultures has a hollow housing (1) of a cylinder-like shape, with an upper, in particular circular, opening (2) and a membrane-like base located opposite the opening (2). On the peripheral opening edge (6) outward protruding support arms (5) are spaced apart from one another. The housing (1) has on its outer peripheral surface (12), between at least two support arms (5), a flattened region (11) extending from the opening edge (6) in the direction of the base (3), so that in a plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis (Y) of the housing (1) in the region of the flattened region (11) there is a radial clearance of the peripheral surface (12) relative to the longitudinal axis (Y) which is smaller than the radial clearance and/or outer radius of the peripheral surface (12) in the non-flattened region of the peripheral surface (12).

Abstract: A device for cell culture includes a container body, which has an internal compartment to contain a quantity of cells to be cultured and a culture surface for the cells placed in the internal compartment; an introduction opening for introducing the cells to be cultured in the internal compartment; the container body having a first half shell and a second half shell, which can be fixed in mutually facing relation by a removable fixing system and which together define the internal compartment and the culture surface; and at least one out feed opening for a transport and/or culture fluid for the cells.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for generating microscopic patterns of macromolecules such as proteins on a solid surface are described. Pulsed laser light is used to alter surface portions of a solid surface substrate in a predetermined pattern by removing macromolecules from surface portions of the substrate where the light is focused. The same wavelength light at lower intensity can be used to visualize the removal by its reflection from the specimen surface along the path to the detector. Select macromolecules introduced to the substrate selectively adhere to select surface portions, thereby depositing macromolecules in the predetermined pattern on the solid surface.

Abstract: A cell culture plate has a plurality of flow channels, uneven pattern areas and through holes. The flow channels are formed between the uneven pattern areas, and culture solution flows from the flow channels into the uneven pattern areas or from the uneven pattern areas into the flow channels. The uneven pattern area has uneven patterns that create a cell culture space.

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 invention relates to a filtration unit, comprising a membrane filter that can be disposed on a filter support of a bottom part and an attachment that can be placed on the bottom part, wherein the membrane filter has a reinforcing edge, and wherein the membrane filter can be clamped to a clamping part of a cover of a culture medium unit for removal purposes and introduced into the culture media unit. The invention further relates to a method for the microbiological analysis of liquid samples following a filtration process, wherein after removing an attachment a membrane filter is lifted off a filter support for pouring in the liquid sample and set down on a surface of a culture medium disposed in the bottom part of a culture medium unit, and the bottom part is covered by a cover. The cover is placed on the membrane resting on the filter support such that a clamping part present on the filter support clamps to a reinforcing edge of the membrane.

Abstract: A dish for cell cultivation and microscopy is provided, comprising a ring and an outer ridge upwardly and axially protruding therefrom, wherein the ring is covered at its bottom side with a transparent membrane and, thus, forms a recess delimited by the inner side of the ring and the membrane, characterized in that the recess is filled with an adhesive filling. Alternatively, a dish for cell cultivation and microscopy is provided, comprising a base and an outer ridge protruding upwardly and axially at its rim, wherein the base and the outer ridge are made of a transparent plastic, the base together with the inner side of the outer ridge forms a recess filled with an adhesive filling, and the thickness of the base and the filling together is less than about 1 mm.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of single- or multilayer plastic web plates in a sloped channel-type solid material separator with a lamella package.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a multi-layer system for containing cells in culture, and a system for visualizing cells cultured in the multi-layered system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a multi-layer cell culture device having a specialized bottom plate and a microscope adaptor which can accommodate a microscope to allow microscopic visualization of cells cultured in the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for, and methods of assessing cell viability in a biological sample comprising cells or tissue. In particular the present invention provides quality assurance assays for complex biomaterials, especially but not exclusively cells derived from the pancreas, liver, kidney, lung, bone marrow and stem cells, for use in biomedical procedures. The present invention provides inter alia methods of improving assessment of donor cell/tissue viability, methods of improving the success of donor cell/tissue transplant procedures, methods of assessing the functional properties of complex biological materials prior to their use in regenerative therapies and kits therefor.

Abstract: A device for characterizing the biological properties of cells can include a plurality of dual-compartment assay chambers wherein the compartments of each chamber are separated by a cell layer across which ions can flow. The biological properties of the cell layer in the presence or absence of experimental compounds can be determined by measuring an electrical gradient across the layer. A individual dual-compartment chamber of this type may be referred to as an “Ussing chamber.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and devices that improve cell culture efficiency. They include the use of gas permeable culture compartments that reduce the use of space while maintaining uniform culture conditions, and are more suitable for automated liquid handling. They include the integration of gas permeable materials into the traditional multiple shelf format to resolve the problem of non-uniform culture conditions. They include culture devices that use surfaces comprised of gas permeable, plasma charged silicone and can integrate traditional attachment surfaces, such as those comprised of traditional tissue culture treated polystyrene. They include culture devices that integrate gas permeable, liquid permeable membranes. A variety of benefits accrue, including more optimal culture conditions during scale up and more efficient use of inventory space, incubator space, and disposal space. Furthermore, labor and contamination risk are reduced.