Methods to form a surface coating and surface pattern, which are based on adsorption of hydrocarbon chains that can be used with imaging optics to visualize macrophage fusion and multinucleated giant cell formation with living specimens are described.

The present disclosure relates to bioactive hydrogels derived from human blood plasma. More particularly, the disclosure relates to multifunctional materials for cell encapsulation, cell culture platforms, medical treatment apparatus and methods, more particularly, hydrogels derived from human blood components and technologies for use of such materials in research, biomedical treatment, biotech and pharmaceutical industry. The disclosure further relates to 3D printable scaffolds, sponges, foams, fibers, particles, capsules, membranes and injectable systems comprising said hydrogel. Additionally, this disclosure allows for the controlled placement of biologically active components that may be delivered by the hydrogel compositions.

A cell culture container may include an inlet through which a fluid is supplied, an outlet through which a fluid is discharged, and a flow path configured to connect the inlet to the outlet and accommodate a cell culture substrate containing gold nanoparticles and capable of being denatured by heating.

Systems and methods for automated cell culturing are disclosed. The system includes a stand-alone device including a culturing vessel and an integrated controller for delivering fluids at pre-determined times and sensors for monitoring the conditions of the culturing environment. The sensors for monitoring the conditions are coupled to the controller.

The present invention discloses crosslinked poly(alkylene glycol) (PAG)-based hydrogel compositions, systems containing a plurality of cancer cells in contact with a cell culture media and encapsulated in the crosslinked PAG-based hydrogel composition and methods of making such crosslinked hydrogel compositions and systems. Also disclosed herein are methods of using such compositions and systems, such as, for example for screening an agent for effectiveness of the agent against cancer cells. Also disclosed herein are kits containing one or more components including one or more systems of the present disclosure and one or more instructions.

The present subject matter provides a microfluidic device that enables the precise and repeatable three dimensional and compartmentalized coculture of muscle cells and neuronal cells. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.

A culture container for activating lymphocytes includes immobilized anti-CD3 antibodies and an anti-CD3 antibody solution including anti-CD3 antibodies, wherein the culture container is formed in a bag-like shape and is formed of a soft-packaging material, the immobilized anti-CD3 antibodies are immobilized at a density of 10 to 300 ng/cm.sup.2 on one surface of opposing inner surfaces within the container, and the anti-CD3 antibody solution is enclosed in the container in an amount of 0.25 to 400 ng of the anti-CD3 antibodies in 0.1 to 800 l of the solution per 1 cm.sup.2 of a culture surface formed of the one surface.

Photobioreactor devices and units for the production of biomass and remediation of environmental contamination are provided. The bioreactor devices comprise (i) a photobioreactor unit comprising a first membrane layer and a second membrane layer, the two membrane layers arranged such that at least a portion of the first membrane layer is directly bonded to at least a portion of the second membrane layer in order to form a defined boundary around non-bonded portions of the first and second membrane layers, thereby defining the photobioreactor unit capable of containing a fluid, wherein at least one of the first and second layers is translucent, and wherein at least a part of the first and second membrane layers is permeable to gases. The permeability coefficient of oxygen through the first and/or second membrane layer is suitably not less than about 100 Barrer, typically not less than about 300 Barrer, and suitably not less than about 500 Barrer. The photobioreactor unit also comprises an inlet and an outlet port to enable the fluid to circulate through said unit. Systems comprising the devices are provided as well as methods of using the devices for the production of biomass, remediation of wastewater and removal of atmospheric pollutants.

Application of the present invention enables quantification of fractions of candidate pharmaceutical compounds (a parent compound and its metabolites), one excreted to the basolateral (Basal/Basolateral)-side via transporters and by diffusion, one excreted to the lumen (Apical)-side, and one remained in the cells. This enables determination of the total amount of the administered candidate pharmaceutical compounds and the distribution ratio of the fractions. The kinetics of the administered candidate pharmaceutical compounds can be evaluated, thereby enabling in vitro screening of an enormous number of candidate pharmaceutical compounds for drug candidates exhibiting the efficacy. The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for understanding a total picture of pharmacokinetics in vitro by quantifying a fraction of basolateral (Basal/Basolateral) efflux, a fraction of lumen (Apical)-side excretion, and a fraction remaining in a cell of a drug which has been administered to the cell to determine the distribution ratio of each fraction.

The present invention provides methods and systems which accommodate 3-dimensional adipocyte expansion to produce, e.g., mature adipocytes and synthetic adipose tissue with cellular properties of mature adult organisms, including cell size and cytoarchitecture, and the use of such methods and systems for, e.g., in vitro drug screening and/or toxicity assays, disease modeling, and therapeutic applications.