Embodiments disclosed herein provide microfluidic device components that may be used independently as valves, pumps, filters or as storage containers (flasks) with integrated valve and pump mechanisms. The components described herein may be integrated into multiple microfluidic device designs, including centrifugal and non-centrifugal microfluidic devices (linear microfluidic devices). The components may be used to store and/or dispense and/or move various reagents that may be employed on a microfluidic device to carry out any of a number of chemical and biological reactions and assays that may be done on such devices.

The present disclosure provides a culture device for enumerating colonies of sulfate-reducing microorganisms. The device includes a body having a waterproof base, a waterproof coversheet attached to the base, and a growth compartment disposed therebetween. The growth compartment has a perimeter and an opening. A portion of the perimeter is defined by a waterproof seal. The portion can include >50% of the perimeter. Disposed in the growth compartment are a dry cold water-soluble gelling agent, a dry culture medium selected to facilitate growth of a sulfate-reducing bacterium or indicator reagent for detecting hydrogen sulfide production by a sulfate-reducing bacterium, and a dry first oxygen-scavenging reagent.

The present disclosure provides a culture device for enumerating colonies of sulfate-reducing microorganisms. The device includes a body having a waterproof base, a waterproof coversheet attached to the base, and a growth compartment disposed therebetween. The growth compartment has a perimeter and an opening. A portion of the perimeter is defined by a waterproof seal. The portion can include >50% of the perimeter. Disposed in the growth compartment are a dry cold water-soluble gelling agent, a dry culture medium selected to facilitate growth of a sulfate-reducing bacterium or indicator reagent for detecting hydrogen sulfide production by a sulfate-reducing bacterium, and a dry first oxygen-scavenging reagent.

A method for dissecting and collecting one or more cells from a tissue sample fixed to an inner surface of a microfluidic device is described. The tissue sample is in fluid communication with a channel having an inlet end and an outlet end defined by the microfluidic device. The method comprises flowing a first fluid through the channel with a fluid flow from the inlet end to the outlet end; powering a laser to direct laser energy into the channel to impinge upon the first fluid proximate a first region of the tissue sample and cause fluid cavitation to thereby ablate a first set of one or more cells from the tissue sample; and collecting the first set of one or more cells within a first sample container coupled to the outlet end.

A method for dissecting and collecting one or more cells from a tissue sample fixed to an inner surface of a microfluidic device is described. The tissue sample is in fluid communication with a channel having an inlet end and an outlet end defined by the microfluidic device. The method comprises flowing a first fluid through the channel with a fluid flow from the inlet end to the outlet end; powering a laser to direct laser energy into the channel to impinge upon the first fluid proximate a first region of the tissue sample and cause fluid cavitation to thereby ablate a first set of one or more cells from the tissue sample; and collecting the first set of one or more cells within a first sample container coupled to the outlet end.

Provided is a microorganism culture sheet having an excellent efficiency for collection of environmental microorganisms and a method for measuring the environmental microorganisms with an excellent collection efficiency. Provided is a microorganism culture sheet including a base sheet, a dry culture layer formed on the base sheet, and a cover sheet covering the dry culture layer, wherein an adhesive layer and a release film are laminated on the inner surface of the cover sheet. Because the environmental microorganisms are collected using the adhesive layer, an excellent collection efficiency is provided.

The method comprises a step for culturing microorganisms and a fermentation step. The apparatus comprises two compartments (5 6), one for each step of the method, and the two are separated by a filtering barrier (8), which allows circulation of the medium to be fermented.

A technique is disclosed for preserving a shape of a fragile object in a liquid. The technique includes a device including a container that houses a fragile object and has a cylindrical shape including a bottom, a lid that seals the container, and a seal. The container includes a lower portion that houses the fragile object, an upper portion that includes an opening, and a stepped portion provided between the lower portion and the upper portion. The lid seals the opening of the upper portion. The seal is interposed between the lid and the stepped portion to seal an opening of the lower portion.

A cell culture apparatus includes one or more plates having a first major surface and an opposing second major surface. The first major surface comprises a structured surface defining a plurality of wells. Each well has an interior surface defining an upper aperture and a nadir, wherein the upper aperture of each well has a diametric dimension in a range from 100 micrometers to 2000 micrometers. The apparatus also includes a plurality of spacers extending from the first major surface along a length of the bottom surface. A plurality of flow channels are defined between adjacent rails.

A cell culture apparatus includes one or more plates having a first major surface and an opposing second major surface. The first major surface comprises a structured surface defining a plurality of wells. Each well has an interior surface defining an upper aperture and a nadir, wherein the upper aperture of each well has a diametric dimension in a range from 100 micrometers to 2000 micrometers. The apparatus also includes a plurality of spacers extending from the first major surface along a length of the bottom surface. A plurality of flow channels are defined between adjacent rails.