A clearing pretreatment method of a biological sample having a size of at most 1 mm, that is, a spheroid or organoid, according to the present invention uses a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) rather than a conventional sucrose solution as a pretreatment solution, thus solving the problem in which the spheroid or organoid floats above the surface of water due to the density difference such that the structure of the sample is damaged. Therefore, there is an effect in that the spheroid or organoid can be transparentized while maintaining the original shape thereof, thus making it possible to image deep parts.

A clearing pretreatment method of a biological sample having a size of at most 1 mm, that is, a spheroid or organoid, according to the present invention uses a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) rather than a conventional sucrose solution as a pretreatment solution, thus solving the problem in which the spheroid or organoid floats above the surface of water due to the density difference such that the structure of the sample is damaged. Therefore, there is an effect in that the spheroid or organoid can be transparentized while maintaining the original shape thereof, thus making it possible to image deep parts.

A custom-made matrix suitable for receiving a tissue sample is described, as well as the use thereof to obtain a multiplex histological preparation. The disclosure also relates to a multiplex biopsy array comprising tissue and/or cell samples arranged in a matrix material and to a method for the preparation of a multiplex biopsy array. Methods for preparing blocks of matrix material to be used in multiplex biopsy arrays are also described, as well as methods for loading biopsy samples in the blocks, and methods for treating and processing the blocks to form biopsy arrays. The biopsy arrays made using the block of matrix material can be used to prepare sections and slides for histological procedures, including quantitative analyses and parallel processing.

A custom-made matrix suitable for receiving a tissue sample is described, as well as the use thereof to obtain a multiplex histological preparation. The disclosure also relates to a multiplex biopsy array comprising tissue and/or cell samples arranged in a matrix material and to a method for the preparation of a multiplex biopsy array. Methods for preparing blocks of matrix material to be used in multiplex biopsy arrays are also described, as well as methods for loading biopsy samples in the blocks, and methods for treating and processing the blocks to form biopsy arrays. The biopsy arrays made using the block of matrix material can be used to prepare sections and slides for histological procedures, including quantitative analyses and parallel processing.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for sequential operation of staining, imaging and sectioning of tissue samples by a processing system. After each layer of the sample is removed by the sectioning system, the system automatically stains the exposed surface of a sample to a depth to enable imaging of the remaining tissue. The system then repeats the sectioning, staining and imaging steps in sequence to image the sample.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for sequential operation of staining, imaging and sectioning of tissue samples by a processing system. After each layer of the sample is removed by the sectioning system, the system automatically stains the exposed surface of a sample to a depth to enable imaging of the remaining tissue. The system then repeats the sectioning, staining and imaging steps in sequence to image the sample.

Methods and apparatus that enable drying and curing a plurality of specimens carried by a plurality of microscope slides. Slide carriers are positioned at a first position while the slide carrier holds the microscope slides. Each of the specimens can be carried by one of the microscope slides. The slide carrier can be robotically moved to move the slide carrier into a circulation loop defined by a heater apparatus. The specimens and/or microscope slides can be convectively heated while the slide carrier is located in the circulation loop.

Methods and apparatus that enable drying and curing a plurality of specimens carried by a plurality of microscope slides. Slide carriers are positioned at a first position while the slide carrier holds the microscope slides. Each of the specimens can be carried by one of the microscope slides. The slide carrier can be robotically moved to move the slide carrier into a circulation loop defined by a heater apparatus. The specimens and/or microscope slides can be convectively heated while the slide carrier is located in the circulation loop.

An in vitro microfluidic intestine on-chip is described herein that mimics the structure and at least one function of specific areas of the gastrointestinal system in vivo. In particular, a multicellular, layered, microfluidic intestinal cell culture, which is some embodiments is derived from patient's enteroids-derived cells, is described comprising L cells, allowing for interactions between L cells and gastrointestinal epithelial cells, endothelial cells and immune cells. This in vitro microfluidic system can be used for modeling inflammatory gastrointestinal autoimmune tissue, e.g., diabetes, obesity, intestinal insufficiency and other inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders. These multicellular-layered microfluidic intestine on-chips further allow for comparisons between types of gastrointestinal tissues, e.g., small intestinal duodenum, small intestinal jejunum, small intestinal ileum, large intestinal colon, etc., and between disease states of gastrointestinal tissue, i.e. healthy, pre-disease and diseased areas. Additionally, these microfluidic gut-on-chips allow identification of cells and cellular derived factors driving disease states and drug testing for reducing inflammation.

An in vitro microfluidic intestine on-chip is described herein that mimics the structure and at least one function of specific areas of the gastrointestinal system in vivo. In particular, a multicellular, layered, microfluidic intestinal cell culture, which is some embodiments is derived from patient's enteroids-derived cells, is described comprising L cells, allowing for interactions between L cells and gastrointestinal epithelial cells, endothelial cells and immune cells. This in vitro microfluidic system can be used for modeling inflammatory gastrointestinal autoimmune tissue, e.g., diabetes, obesity, intestinal insufficiency and other inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders. These multicellular-layered microfluidic intestine on-chips further allow for comparisons between types of gastrointestinal tissues, e.g., small intestinal duodenum, small intestinal jejunum, small intestinal ileum, large intestinal colon, etc., and between disease states of gastrointestinal tissue, i.e. healthy, pre-disease and diseased areas. Additionally, these microfluidic gut-on-chips allow identification of cells and cellular derived factors driving disease states and drug testing for reducing inflammation.