A cell culture apparatus includes a measurement-position designating unit, an image processing unit, and a subculture-timing determining unit. The measurement-position designating unit designates measurement positions in the culture vessel. The image processing unit calculates a confluent rate as a proportion of an area occupied by the cells in the observation image, of the positions designated by the measurement-position designating unit. The subculture-timing determining unit determines the subculture timing of the culture vessel, based on the confluent rate calculated in the image processing unit. More specifically, the subculture-timing determining unit determines the subculture timing, based on a first threshold value with respect to an average value of the entire measurement area on the observation image, and a second threshold value with respect to at least one measurement area on the observation image. The second threshold value is larger than the first threshold value.

The process for producing organic molecules from fermentable biomass includes a step of anaerobic fermentation (5) producing volatile fatty acids (6), these precursors being transformed into final organic molecules by non-fermentation means. It also includes at least the following steps: a) extracting (9) at least one portion of the volatile fatty acids from the fermentation medium in such a way that the production of fermentation metabolites by the microorganisms (M) is not affected, and introducing a portion of the liquid phase (11) containing microorganisms from the extraction (9), b) synthesizing (13) organic molecules from the fermentation metabolites or from the volatile fatty acids extracted in step a),-c) continuing steps a) to b) until the final molecules are obtained, in terms of amount and quality. The invention also relates to an installation for implementing the process.

A mixing apparatus for reconstituting a powdered cell culture media. The apparatus includes at least one fluid chamber, an influent port at a lower portion of the fluid chamber. The apparatus further includes a geometric fluid flow aid positioned in the fluid chamber and an effluent port at the top of the fluid chamber. A powdered cell culture media is provided in the fluid to be mixed with a fluid provided by the influent port. The effluent port is configured to allow reconstituted media to exit the fluid chamber.

A microfluidic dual-well device is disclosed. The device comprises: (a) a first substrate having a first end, a second end, and a culture microwell forming portion; (b) a plurality of culture microwells; (c) a second substrate having a first end, a second end, and a capture microwell forming portion, the two ends of the second substrate being respectively bounded to the two ends of the first substrate; (d) a plurality of capture microwells; (e) a microfluidic channel; (f) a microfluidic inlet port; and (g) a microfluidic outlet port; wherein the microfluidic channel is in fluidic connections with the culture microwells, the capture microwells, and the inlet and outlet ports. Methods of capturing and transferring a single cell or a single cell colony for culture, and method of transferring a target cell from a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) structure of culture microwells to a culture plate for culture are also disclosed.

The present set of embodiments relate to a system, method, and apparatus for hydrating and mixing a liquid medium from a dry medium. Such systems, methods, and apparatuses can be used in the biotech industry because they can be used to provide prepackaged dry media in a format that can be quickly rehydrated free of issues with operator error found in more conventional media rehydration systems using mixing tanks and reactors.

Disclosed herein are systems, devices, and methods for sterilization. In some variations, a method of sterilizing a bioreactor system may comprise circulating a sterilant in a bioreactor and an enclosed vessel in fluidic communication with the bioreactor. The enclosed vessel may comprise cell culture media. The sterilant may be circulated for a dwell time sufficient to sterilize at least one of the bioreactor, the vessel, and the cell culture media.

A method and apparatus for improving hydration and/or reducing the particle size of a product or agent. The method includes the step of applying a pulsed electromagnetic field to the product or agent for a period of time sufficient to allow an increase in the hydration of the product or agent and/or a reduction of the particle size of the product or agent.

Disc dispensing device for dispensing discs impregnated with antibiotics onto a culture dish. The device comprises a stationary support on which a magazine is removably mounted. The magazine holds a plurality of tubular containers each containing a stack of discs to be dispensed. A moving means moves one disc from a bottom end of a tubular container to a pick-up position. From the pick-up position a transfer means picks up said one disc and transfers it to the culture dish where it is dispensed. The removable culture dish is supported by a moveable carriage which is mounted on the stationary support. The carriage is moveable relative to the magazine from a starting position to an operating position and vice versa. Control means control the operation of the device. The plurality of tubular containers is rotatable around a magazine centre under control of the control means.

The present invention relates to a method of analysis comprising the preparation and the analysis of a sample in a flexible container without direct handling of the sample and without reopening the flexible container at the end of the preparation of the sample, and also to a container and a kit that enable the implementation of this method.

An automated bioprocess solution preparation apparatus includes a first mixing chamber containing at least one ingredient for a bioprocess solution, a first port and a second port for a fluid to enter the mixing chamber, and a third port for a liquid bioprocess solution to exit the mixing chamber. The apparatus further includes an array of tubing for fluid flow within the apparatus, a sensor arranged to measure a property of the liquid bioprocess solution exiting the mixing chamber, a first valve associated with the first port, and a second valve associated with the second port. When the property meets or exceeds a threshold value, the apparatus is operable to perform at least one of: closing the first valve to block the fluid from entering the mixing chamber through the first port, and opening the second valve for the fluid to enter the mixing chamber through the second port.