Embodiments described herein generally provide for expanding cells in a cell expansion system. The cells may be grown in a bioreactor, and the cells may be activated by an activator (e.g., a soluble activator complex). Nutrient and gas exchange capabilities of a closed, automated cell expansion system may allow cells to be seeded at reduced cell seeding densities, for example. Parameters of the cell growth environment may be manipulated to load the cells into a particular position in the bioreactor for the efficient exchange of nutrients and gases. System parameters may be adjusted to shear any cell colonies that may form during the expansion phase. Metabolic concentrations may be controlled to improve cell growth and viability. Cell residence in the bioreactor may be controlled. In embodiments, the cells may include T cells. In further embodiments, the cells may include T cell subpopulations, including regulatory T cells (Tregs), helper, naïve, memory, or effector, for example.

An apparatus for storing and monitoring blood culture bottles. The apparatus has a moveable rack configured as a drum having a plurality of receptacles therein for receiving blood culture bottles. The drum is disposed in a housing. The housing includes a heater and a blower for incubating the blood culture bottles at elevated temperatures. Optionally the apparatus has a plurality of drums, each having a plurality of receptacles for receiving blood culture bottles.

The present disclosure provides a conversion of a gaseous substrate with the use of a microorganism. In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a microbial gas-phase reaction system for converting a gaseous substrate with the use of a microorganism. This microbial gas-phase reaction system comprises at least one member selected from among a carrier having the microorganism immobilized thereon, a gas supply part for supplying the gaseous substrate to the gas phase of the microbial gas-phase reaction system, and a water supply system for supplying water to the carrier. In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for converting a gaseous substrate with the use of a microorganism. This method comprises a step for exposing a surface of a carrier, on which the microorganism is immobilized, to a gas phase containing the gaseous substrate.

There is provided a bioreactor which is provided with a lid (13) that facilitates access to the incubation cavity. Specifically the end wall of the incubation cavity is constituted by the lid (13) so that removal of the cap renders the incubation cavity fully accessible.

An improvement is described for the processing of biological material in a continuous stream by the application of radiant energy taken from the wavelengths from infrared to ultraviolet, and its absorption by a feedstock in a workspace of featuring controlled turbulence created by one or more counter-rotating disk impellers. The absorbed energy and the controlled turbulence patterns create a continuous process of productive change in a feed into the reactor, with separated light and heavy product output streams flowing both inward and outward from the axis in radial counterflow. The basic mechanism of processing can be applied to a wide range of feedstocks, from the promotion of the growth of algae to make biofuel or other forms of aquaculture, to a use in the controlled combustion of organic material to make biochar.

Embodiments described herein generally provide for the expansion of cells in a cell expansion system using an active promotion of a coating agent(s) to a cell growth surface in some embodiments. A coating agent may be applied to a surface, such as the cell growth surface of a hollow fiber in a bioreactor, by controlling the movement of a fluid in which a coating agent is suspended, by changing flow rates, by changing flow directions, by rotation of the bioreactor, and/or combinations thereof.

Vascularizing cell aggregates or tissue segments in a microfluidic device by filling a chamber within the device with a matrix that allows for endothelial sprouting; creating at least three voids within the matrix, of which at least two outer voids are lumenally connected to separate perfusion paths within the device and at least one additional void is positioned in between the at least two outer voids; endothelializing the at least two outer voids; introducing at least one cell type, matrix material, tissue segment, or combinations thereof into the void between the two outer voids; and using vascular growth factors to induce the endothelial cells to sprout into the matrix until the at least three voids are interconnected by endothelial sprouts.

Vascularizing cell aggregates or tissue segments in a microfluidic device by filling a chamber within the device with a matrix that allows for endothelial sprouting; creating at least three voids within the matrix, of which at least two outer voids are lumenally connected to separate perfusion paths within the device and at least one additional void is positioned in between the at least two outer voids; endothelializing the at least two outer voids; introducing at least one cell type, matrix material, tissue segment, or combinations thereof into the void between the two outer voids; and using vascular growth factors to induce the endothelial cells to sprout into the matrix until the at least three voids are interconnected by endothelial sprouts.

Methods, apparatus, and system for a compost system to reduce operator time, reduce power utilization, increase intensity of land use by the compost system, increase efficiency of biological activity in bulk material composted by the compost system, reduce odor production by the compost system, and to reuse water applied to and which may leach out of bulk material. The compost system may comprise an aerated pad, a pivot arm attached to a center of the aerated pad, and a control module. The aerated pad may receive a bulk material to be composted into a compost product. The aerated pad may comprise an air nozzle and a drain to direct water from the bulk material to a water collection system. The pivot arm may deposit the bulk material on the aerated pad. The control module may manage a temperature inside the bulk material using the air nozzle.

The present invention provides a cell culture apparatus. A cell culture apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is a cell culture apparatus for culturing a cell to form the cell into a three-dimensional spheroid. The cell culture apparatus may comprise: a plate; and a well which is arranged, in plural, on one side of the plate at predetermined intervals, has cells cultured inside, and has a micropattern disposed on the inner surface such that the inner surface and the cells are spaced apart from each other.